An unbeaten century from Brandon Nicholls was the catalyst for East Sunbury getting its first win of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s B-grade season.
After struggling with the bat in the opening rounds, the Thunder had a different look about it on Saturday.
After sending Lancefield in, the Thunder looked in control after the first 20 overs – but that was before Tiger skipper Luke Barker got going.
Barker hit an unbeaten 92, including 14 fours and a six, to help propel his side to 6-189.
Thunder captain-coach Jessy Carroll said the side’s young bowlers dropped their heads when Barker got going,
“He had one of those days where he was hitting everything cleanly,” Carroll said. “We bowled well for 20 overs and then dropped our heads. It’s a learning curve for a young side like us. Sometimes it’s good to get smacked around as you can learn from it.”
In reply, the Thunder was 3-34 when Carroll was out for eight.
Nicholls and Matt Jackson then put on 79 runs before former captain Mark Hourigan joined Nicholls at the crease.
They finished the job in the 38th over with the score on 4-194.
It was Nicholls’ first game in the senior side this season. Carroll said Nicholls, who finished 109 not out, was enjoying his cricket and it was showing.
“He didn’t look like going out,” Carroll said. “Matt Jackson seems to get 30 runs each week and they batted for a chunk of the innings.
“Mark then came in and was able to talk Brando through it at the end.”
It was the Thunder’s first win of the season and Tigers’ first loss.
Carroll said the Thunder players were slowly starting to gel together.
He said it was now a matter of putting together all three facets of the game.
“I’ve played in a lot of older sides in the past, where this is a younger side,” he said.
“I think it’s the best bowling side I’ve played with and [that] means I’m not bowling any more. Everyone is really happy and the morale is up there, which was shown on the weekend.”
Carroll said the younger players were starting to take the next step up.
“Jaxon Mobilio is back, Lachie Brne – the list can go on,” he said. “The second team is full of young players, as well.
“Some have been playing senior cricket since they were 14. I’m the one who gets to enjoy it.”
In other results, Sunbury United defeated Bacchus Marsh, Macedon was too good for Ashfield and Wallan beat St Anthonys.
