Tara Murray
East Sunbury got a confidence boosting win against Diggers Rest Bulla in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
After a tough start to the season, the young Thunder team took it up to the more experienced Burras and came away with the points.
Thunder president Mark Wilkins said it was a really good game of cricket.
“The whole game, the standard of cricket was really good,” he said.
“It was a hard fought match by both sides and both sides had good opportunities and were in the positions to win.
“I think our youth and our fitness was the difference in the end.”
After only 10 overs were bowled on day one of the match, the match was restarted and played as a one-dayer on Saturday.
It wasn’t an ideal start for the Thunder, but it kept at it going on to make 8-129.
“At 4-14 I thought we were in big trouble,” Wilkins said.
“Blake Watson has come back to the club and has finally played a couple of games for us.
“He made 71 and batted brilliantly and was the difference as he batted throughout.
“It was amazing to see and we’re happy he could provide some positives and had another opportunity to go out and bat.”
Mulkapuge Lakshan took three wickets for the Burras.
The Burras started well with the bat and at 3-88 were in control. The wickets then started to fall and the match became close.
Wilkins said they thought they had blown their chance to get the points.
“They started really well and we were in trouble bowling in the first 15 overs,” he said.
“When they needed 15 runs we had two guys collide while going for a catch and I thought we might have blown it.
“Josh Lanyon has come to the club and we’re thrown him in at the death in both games and he’s done really well.
“He took three wickets.”
The Burras were bowled out for 121.
Burras skipper Rasika Batepola top scored with 37 at the top of the order.
Wilkins said the group’s ability in the field and their fitness really showed off late in the game when they needed a spark. He said it was exciting watching such a young group.
“We have one guy over the age of 23,” he said. “We’re basically playing a junior side in the McIntyre Cup.
“The boys want to make the top six. We probably won’t be competing for a premiership, but the effort they put into training is massive.
“When they miss out it hurts. They’re a good group of players. It doesn’t matter who we play it on, which is great.”
In other matches, Rupertswood also got its first win of the season beating Bacchus Marsh.
Having bowled the Bulls out for 122 on day one, Rupo piled on the runs on Saturday, bowled out for 301.
Trent Hayes finished 111 not out.
In another upset, Wallan beat Romsey. The Magpies made 5-220 before bowling Romsey out for 112.
Gisborne and Sunbury United beat Woodend and the Sunbury Kangaroos, respectively.
