The bowlers controlled the day in the clash of the bottom sides Sunbury and Wallan in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup Premier Firsts.
With both Sunbury and Wallan fighting for their future in the top grade, the bowlers stepped up, taking 17 wickets for the day.
It has set up an interesting fight for first innings points, with Sunbury needing 12 runs, while the Magpies need two wickets.
For Sunbury captain-coach Brad Hunter the day was a representation of their overall season.
“We let ourselves down with the bat again,” he said. “There’s been five times this season we’ve been in winning positions and either weather or inexperience we haven’t been able to get the win.”
Wallan’s innings came to an end at 9-120 with the side only having 10 players at the ground.
Jason McGann stood strong taking 5-49.
Hunter was full of praise for the veteran.
“It’s the third game in a row that he has taken a five-for. He’s got the fire in the belly.
“We’re trying to get the juniors through [and] he’s taken over the bowling stocks and teaching them, and then doing it on Saturday.”
Hunter said they had hoped to get the runs with less than the loss of four wickets. Instead the Roar find themselves in a fight and will resume at 8-111.
The Roar had a couple of nervous overs at the end of the day with Jason McGann having to leave the game early, leaving them with no batsmen in the shed.
Hunter said they were confident of getting the job done this week.
“The first job is to make sure we get the 12 runs and get the job done.
“We’ve still got Jason in the shed and Jason McGowan and Kyle Corcoran can both bat.
“We’ve got two guys with 15 years’ experience out of the three batsmen left.”
A win this weekend should be enough to make sure the Roar stay in the top grade next season.
Hunter said while they were keen to stay in the top grade, they had achieved something very important this year.
“We wanted to bring through the young kids,” he said. “We had four under the age of 20.
“We could have won a few more games if we had that extra experience. We’ve stuck to that policy and the kids are getting the experience and we’ve seen the improvement in them.”
In other matches, Bacchus Marsh is 0-30 in reply to Sunbury United’s 159. Gisborne made 193 against Diggers Rest Bulla, as both sides look to shore up finals spots.
Romsey had a day out with the bat, making 328 against Woodend.
MORE GDCA NEWS
http://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/lancefield-keeps-hopes-alive/
http://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/rupertswood-st-anthonys-battle-for-top-spot/
