By Tara Murray
Gisborne has been given a reality check in a Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup Premier Firsts top-of-the-table clash.
Facing the only other undefeated side, Bacchus Marsh, the Dragons were made to pay for below par performances with the bat and ball.
Dragons coach Glenn Waites said Bacchus Marsh showed why it is the benchmark of the competition.
“We didn’t bowl great and bowled short early on and didn’t bowl to the fields,” he said. “And then we weren’t great with the bat.
“The boys copped a reality check
“We know they are the benchmark. We’ve learnt some things from the game and we would rather beat them later in the
season.”
Photo Gallery: Bacchus Marsh vs Gisborne
The Bulls made 8-198 from their overs, with skipper James Lidgett hitting 100. He and Alex Porter put on a 142-run partnership for the second wicket.
Waites was full of praise for Lidgett.
“He is a gun and he could still be playing Premier first XI cricket,” he said.
“We knew if we didn’t remove Lidgett, they would make a reasonable score.”
Jakson Knight took three wickets and Recordo Gordon snared two.
Waites said the Dragons thought that if they could keep the Bulls to under 220, it would be a reasonable effort.
The Dragons’ batsmen failed to deliver, scraping to 9-154. Their young guns helped add some late runs, but not enough.
Waites said the younger guys stood up – and that was something positive to come out of the game.
“Joel Garbutt batted really well, making 30, and also bowled well,” he said.
“Jayben Bannan batted well in his first bat in the McIntyre Cup.
“Lachlan Shore was confident in his first hit, as well.
“With a few injuries they’re getting opportunities.”
With the Dragons already missing three players out of the side, Daniel Trevillian hurt his hamstring during the game.
The loss sees the side slip to third on the ladder, behind the Bulls and Romsey.
Waites said they were happy with how they were tracking at this stage.
He said they were looking forward to turning their attention to the two-day format that starts this weekend.
They will face the winless Wallan.
“When it comes down to it and the whips are cracking, the longer format wins you finals,” Waites said.
In other results, Wallan fell just short of its first win against Sunbury United.
The Magpies made 226, with United hitting the winning runs with three balls to spare.
United finished on 7-227.
Woodend overcame being 6-43 to beat Sunbury. Woodend made 7-153 in reply to Sunbury’s 6-148.
Romsey defeated Diggers Rest Bulla.
MORE GDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/young-guns-put-riddell-on-solid-ground/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/bacchus-marsh-wins-the-top-tussle1/
