Diggers Rest Bulla has the upper hand in its Gisborne and District Cricket Association B-grade grand final showdown against Gisborne.
The top two sides on the ladder put on an exhibition of hard-nosed cricket in the first two of four days’ play, with runs hard to come by as the Burras ground their way to 168 in 86 overs.
PICTURE GALLERY: Bulla Diggers Rest v Gisborne
The pressure was palpable throughout both days, with Gisborne also struggling to score freely as it finished Sunday on 8-137 from 81 overs.
Diggers Rest Bulla batted after winning the toss at Gardiner Reserve, but Lincoln Grant (0) was soon back in the sheds, with Ryan Peters heading out to join Kane Shaw in the middle.
Peters was the anchor of the remainder of the innings and one of only four Burra batsmen to reach double figures.
Shaw ground his way to 14, but the next three batsmen contributed only four runs.
The best batting came when Andrew Knight joined Peters at the crease midway through the day.
Together they rebuilt the innings, with Knight making 44 and Peters 71.
Late runs to Shannon O’Keefe (22no) saw the Burras post what looks to be a competitive total.
Gisborne started its reply poorly, both openers being dismissed with 11 runs on the board, but from there the side rebuilt strongly.
Brook Grumont (36), Jarryd Vernon (45) and Jack Baker (18) all did well in the chase.
But the Burras’ bowlers were able to take wickets just as the batsmen looked threatening.
A late collapse finds Gisborne needing 32 runs from the final two wickets.
Burras skipper Rhys Berry (3-50) and his fellow bowlers will be hoping to wrap the innings up quickly to take a firm grip on the flag.
