It was wickets galore when Diggers Rest Bulla and Riddell went head-to-head in a Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup match on Saturday.
Fourteen wickets fell on the opening day of play, leaving the match evenly poised.
The Burras were in trouble early at 4-18, before a middle order fightback pushed them to 4-59. But wickets then fell frequently and the Burras were bowled out for 98.
Playing coach Rasika Batepola top-scored for the Burras with 42.
He said 98 was a better score than what it was looking like earlier in the match.
“We lost the toss and the grass was long so we were slow getting going,” he said.
“Our top order is yet to find form and have had low scores. We’ve had some players out … our top order will get stronger.
“We need them to make sure they’re batting 10 to 15 overs to take the shine off the ball, but they haven’t done it yet. With a slow outfield the score of 98 is more like a 140-150 target.”
Matthew Livingstone continued his hot form for Riddell taking 4-18.
The Burras got off to the best possible start with the ball, having Riddell in trouble at 4-27.
Darren Quarrell and Batepola have two wickets each for the Burras. Batepola said despite defending less than 100 he thought they were a good chance to win.
Riddell danger man Mick Allen is still in the sheds for the Bombers.
“In the opening round we played the premiers of the last two seasons and we made 106 and beat them,” Batepola said.
“We need to take two or three early wickets and put the pressure back on them.”
Batepola, who is new to the competition, said he was adjusting to playing with the Burras.
There was plenty of other wickets in the other McIntyre Cup matches as well, with both sides batting on day one in four of the five matches.
Rupertswood made 139 against Bacchus Marsh in their match. The Bulls will resume at 0-4.
Sunbury United will resume at 3-33 against Lancefield, which made 189.
Sunbury lost early wickets against Woodend and will resume at 4-50, chasing Woodend’s 169.
Gisborne was the only side to bat out the day, making 5-306 against Romsey. Jakson Knight finished 150 not out.
In B-grade, there was three standouts –Bacchus Marsh’s Chris Amphlett made 132; Eynesbury’s Luke Castle made 101; and St Anthonys Nathan Dantonio made a second straight century, this time 188 not out.
