Tara Murray
Diggers Rest Bulla has knuckled down on the training track and it’s paying off in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
After an up and down start to the season, the Burras have won their last three games including beating East Sunbury on Saturday.
Burras president Lindon Dowsett said the playing group had put in the extra yards in recent weeks.
“The boys have been really good and they’ve won three in a row which is good,” he said.
“I think the professionalism at training has really stepped up and they are doing extra hours and some are training three days a week.
“There were a bit of faces in the mirror and looking at themselves. They’ve gone to another level and are working hard at the moment.”
On Saturday, the Burras put in a real team performance with multiple contributors with both the bat and the ball.
The Burras made 8-229 from their overs with Mulkapuge Lakshan top scoring with 53 as the middle order did most of the damage.
Lachlan Wilkins was the only multiple wicket taker for the Thunder.
After tumbling to 5-52 the task was always going to be tough for the Thunder. It would fall well short, bowled out for 166 in the last over.
Caine Schofield top scored with 36 for the Thunder. Rhys Berry and Indika Massalage took three wickets each for the Burras.
Dowsett, who watched some of the match as he’s on the side lines injured, said it was a really performance.
“We batted really well and then we bowled and fielded well,” he said.
“Ras [Batepola] has made runs this year and Mili [Sepala] has made a couple of scores as has Mass [Massalage]. If one or two don’t fire, another steps up and gets runs.
“I’m a happy president at the moment.”
The Burras now sit in fifth spot. They face the sixth placed Sunbury Kangaroos this week and the ladder leaders Gisborne and the following week.
Dowsett said while they were concentrating on the Kangaroos clash, they were keen to face the Dragons and test where the side is really at.
Off field, Dowsett said things were going really well with plenty of people getting back to the club.
He said they were hopeful that the ground and room upgrades might be done by August or September by the latest, but they weren’t getting their hopes up.
Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh’s strong form as the Bulls got one back against Rupertswood on Saturday.
Having lost the first clash between the two teams, the Bulls came out firing at home.
Rupo won the toss and elected to bat in hot conditions, but struggled to get going, bowled out for just 98.
Daniel Kavanagh top scored with 26 for Rupo, while Thomas Wardell was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets.
While the Bulls lost an early wicket, it meant little as they easily chased down the runs. The Bulls finished 1-99 in 21 overs.
James Lidgett continued his good form finishing 41 not out, while Brenton Payne finished 40 not out.
Jarryd Vernon put on a show for Gisborne against Woodend.
Vernon made a massive 178 as the Dragons made 9-279 from their 50 overs.
Woodend fought hard, but were bowled out for 202. Warren Else top scored with 74 not out.
Romsey skipper Ben Way was also in the runs, making 134 not out against Wallan.
The Redbacks finished 6-268 from their overs after being in trouble at 5-22.Adam Frost finished with 92.
The Magpies finished 9-204.
Sunbury United accounted for the Sunbury Kangaroos in the other match.
