By Oliver Lees
Diggers Rest Bulla have struggled to maintain a its best cricket so far this season in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
Despite starting its season promisingly with a win, the club has since been unable to get the job done.
Diggers Rest Bulla has lost its last five games either side of the round seven and round eight fixtures, which were suspended due to play shortages.
In round nine, Sunbury United remained unphased by the hot conditions and piled on a convincing opening innings tally of 8/223 against the Burras.
The commanding first innings total was driven by Damien Edwards 103 off 118, in a knock that included 13 boundaries.
Diggers bowlers Jacob Grant (3/52) and Nic Diss (3/49) did most of the damage with ball in hand but were ultimately unable to maintain United’s firepower.
Nalaka De Silva’s knock of 42 and Rhys Berry’s 39 provided a glimmer of hope for Diggers, but the rest of the batting order collapsed for minimal return.
Diggers was bowled over for 132.
Zach Forster led the bowling effort for the United with a tidy 3/13 off his nine over spell, which included four maidens.
After nine rounds, the Burras sat in ninth position with one win, three draws and five losses.
Reflecting on the season so far, Diggers Rest Bulla opening batsman Lindon Dowsett said an inability to sustain their competitiveness was the root of the club’s problems.
“We started the year well with a win, and except for that game [against Sunbury United], we’ve been in every single match and unlucky not to win a couple more,” he said.
“It’s more about making sure we’re playing for 90 overs, not just 50 or 60 overs.
“It’s also about experience, a few of the guys from other teams have had a lot more experience in McIntyre, so it’s about getting that exposure.”
On the positive side of things, Dowsett heaped praise on the club’s playing coach Nalaka De Silva.
In six matches De Silva has averaged 37 runs.
His season includes two half centuries and a season best knock of 89 against Bacchus Marsh.
In the Burras only win against the Sunbury Kangaroos, De Silva also chipped in with an impressive 3/13 off six overs.
Dowsett said Burras captain Rhys Berry had also been of the side’s most consistent contributors.
“He’s probably not quite been rewarded with the wickets, but every week he’s a danger,” he said.
“I reckon if he’s not the best bowler in the competition, he’s definitely in the top three.”
Like other clubs across the competition, the Burras breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced the GDCA would postpone its round seven and round eight fixtures.
Dowsett said the club would have been missing seven or eight players from its first two sides and more in the lower teams.
The GDCA season will continue until March 5, with finals the following three weeks of the month.
