Rupertswood will back its bowlers in to do the job against Bacchus Marsh in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
Looking for its second win of the season, Rupertswood struggled early and at 6-59 looked set to be bowled out cheaply, but it pressed on to be 139, with three overs remaining.
Captain-coach Andrew Pizaro said while on paper it looked like a low total, it could have been a lot worse.
“From where we were early on, 139 is a better score than we thought,” he said.
“It was hard to score and good shots that would normally pierce the field weren’t going to the boundary.
“Bacchus Marsh is a really good bowling side and are very disciplined. There was a bit of a fightback and we’ve got the runs on the board.”
Jack Hudd, in his first McIntyre Cup game, top-scored with 42, while Pizaro made 34.
Rupertswood has a 1-1 record so far this season and continues to struggle with its batting.
Pizaro said it had done a lot of work in the nets in the off season and the early rounds.
“It’s about making sure the guys are confident about their own abilities and what their strengths are,” he said.
“We’ve been doing a lot of training for specific drills and focusing on decision-making. We’re hitting a lot of balls at training.”
Focus will turn to the bowling on Saturday, with Bacchus Marsh to resume on 0-4, chasing 139.
Rupo is without opening bowler Aaron Forward this round, but Pizaro said they had plenty of options.
“Chris Ryan is back and gives us another bowler and Jack Hudd bowls leg spin. Luke Shoesmith is a bowler and will have more confidence,” he said.
“The outcome might be one or two, for what’s normally a boundary.”
Pizaro said his first season as captain-coach has been a really positive experience.
“There’s a really young crew and they want to learn and want to play better cricket, which is to their credit.
“I don’t have to motivate them … Hopefully by Christmas we’ll start seeing everything coming together and see what we’ve created.”
In other matches, Riddell is 4-27 chasing Digger Rest Bulla’s 98. Burras playing coach Rasika Batepola made 42 and has two wickets.
Sunbury United is 3-33 chasing Lancefield’s 189, while Sunbury is 4-50 in reply to Woodend’s 169.
Jakson Knight’s 150 set up Gisborne’s total of 5-306 against Romsey.
