Rupertswood has put a solid total on the board as it aims for its second win of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Attention turned to the longer forward for the first time this season with perfect weather to put together a solid batting performance.
Rupo president Peter Kavanagh said he thought they were a better two-day team than one-day team and were keen to see what the group could do.
“I think we are where we thought we were expecting at the start of the year,” he said. “We’ve played two of the top four sides from last season already.
“The one against Wallan [where they lost] that was unexpected and disappointing.”
Kavanagh said with the format now changing they might start seeing some different roles to go with what suits sides.
He said they thought they had enough bowling options to be really competitive in the two-dayers.
It was a good battle between Rupo and Woodend on day one of their clash on Saturday.
Rupo elected to bat on its home deck and the openers set a good platform for the side. Kavanagh said it was a good toss to win with rain predicted through this week.
Jayden Swallow (59) and Kevin Barker (23) kicked off things for Rupo before quick wickets fell in the middle order.
Ned Crotty and Daniel Kavanagh showed some resistance to help push Rupo to a competitive target.
It was bowled out for 197 in the 76th over.
Kavanagh said it was good to see them put on a score like that without some of their bigger names firing.
Warren Else took 7-52 for Woodend.
Woodend got through three overs late in the day unscathed and will resume at 0-6.
“It was good to get a couple of overs at Woodend,” Kavanagh said. “We’re pretty happy with the result.”
Kavanagh said it had been a really good off season and there was a really good vibe around the club.
He said they have more depth across their sides with the additions of Rhys Berry and Joey Boulton coming into the first XI making a big difference.
“There’s a lot more people around and helping out at training,” he said.
The club has also formed a connection with the local masters cricket team.
The masters club has been renamed the Rupertswood and Macedon Ranges Masters Cricket Club.
Kavanagh, who has been playing in one of the sides, said the connection had been a success so far.
Meanwhile, in other games the grand final rematch between Gisborne and Sunbury United is also evenly poised.
The Bees won the toss and decided to bat with a number of contributions through the top order but the tail crumbled as they were all out for 192.
The Dragons openers got through two overs at the end of the day and will resume at 0-10.
Broadford was the pick of the batting sides on day one as it set Macedon 228 for victory.
The Cats will resume on 0-22 after facing eight overs.
It was a tough day with the bat for Wallan against Romsey, with the Magpies restricted to 8-154.
