Tara Murray
Rupertswood has the upper hand after day one of its clash against Bacchus Marsh in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
As sides returned to two-day cricket for the first time since before COVID, the action was fair and few between due to the weather.
Three matches got underway, with one of those lasting only 10 overs.
The heavy rain avoided Salesian College allowing Rupertswood and Bacchus Marsh to get nearly a fall day’s worth of play in.
Rupo captain-coach Andrew Pizaro said they got lucky and were able to have a decent day’s play.
“The rain was heavy as it was meant to be and a lot of it missed where we were,” he said.
“A bit of luck went our way and it was a good day,” he said. “They’re a good side and have been for a few years.
“We bowled straight and tight and we were able to create some chances and bowl well.”
The Bulls elected to bat, with Pizaro saying it was one of those days where it was a bit unknown with the weather.
He said on a different day they would be talking about a completely different result.
The Bulls were bowled out for 122 in the 51st over. Ned Crotty took 3-34 for Rupo.
“I think they wanted to put some runs on the board and see what happens,” Pizaro said. “It could have gone their way if the rain had kept falling.
“The ball was really wet for a period, I think the conditions may have helped out a little bit and with our bowling attack we’re good enough in two-day or one-day cricket.”
Rupo faced five overs at the end of the day and will resume at 1-5. Pizaro said he would have taken that at the start of their innings.
“I truly believe for the most part you’re more likely to lose one of the openers early, that is the nature of cricket,” he said.
“The new ball, anything can happen. He was out to good bowling. Now we start again.”
Pizaro knows that the job is far from done and they need to bat smartly on day two. He said the game plan was simple.
“We just want to bat out the overs,” he said. “We’ll set targets, but we’re not worrying about the runs, more about batting out the overs.”
Pizaro said he felt the team was starting to find momentum after a slow start to the season. He said having the ability to train the last couple of weeks had started to pay off, after an interrupted pre-season.
In other matches on Saturday, the Sunbury Kangaroos made 6-133 in a reduced 62 overs.
Corey Woolley top scored with 29.
Senura Perera had three wickets for United.
East Sunbury was 0-18 off 10 overs when its match with Diggers Rest Bulla was halted.
There was no action in Wallan and Romsey’s match, as well as Woodend-Hesket and Gisborne’s match.
