Heading into the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup season, Riddell was seen as one of the teams to beat.
So when the Bombers were sitting last after six rounds, questions were being asked about where they were going to find some good form to bolster their premiership hopes.
The Bombers started to build heading into Christmas, winning their last two games of the year.
Come the new year, the Bombers started to really fire, winning their first two games of 2017.
But the real test for the Bombers came at the weekend against ladder leader Sunbury.
Sunbury entered the game with two losses for the season.
No one saw what was coming on day one of the match – the Bombers destroyed Sunbury.
Just three bowlers were needed as the Bombers dismissed Sunbury for a dismal 50.
Bombers coach Mick Allen was as surprised as anyone.
“We’re starting to hit a purple patch at the moment and really hitting our straps,” he said.
“It was a big surprise, to take Sunbury out for 50, as they’ve been really good all year. I guess that’s cricket and we’ll take it.”
Matthew Livingstone and Jack Baker took two wickets each opening the bowling, with James Hughes taking 5-11 in just his second game for the club.
Hughes, a multiple premiership winning captain-coach with Sunbury United, joined the Bombers after the Christmas break.
Allen said Hughes added depth to the Bombers’ attack.
“We’ve got a family connection,” Allen said. “We had Sunday sippers at a barbecue and he said he wasn’t happy, and I said the door is open here if you want. It went from there.
“He loves the big stage and we’ve already seen that. He slides in nicely.”
The Bombers secured first innings points and will resume at 4-140. Brendan Alger made a quick-fire 42.
Allen said that with a round of one-day matches this Sunday, the Bombers would likely spend a lot of Saturday batting – and conserving as much energy as possible.
In a scary thought for opposition sides, the Bombers are yet to play at full strength, with changes every week. Among those missing on the weekend were Heath Wadden and Cameron Moran.
“One goes out and one steps up,” Allen said. “When we get them all back we’ll have a fairly decent attack.
“We haven’t had the same side in two weeks in row this year.
“It is what it is – the boys come in and do their job.
“We’re just taking it week by week. We were bottom after round six and we couldn’t look too far ahead from there. We’re going along nicely.”
In other results, Woodend playing coach Michael Nalesnyik made 104 as his side posted 9-310 against Romsey. Chris Burkett took three wickets.
Bacchus Marsh made 189 against Gisborne. Jay King took 5-60 for the Dragons.
Diggers Rest Bulla looks in control against Rupertswood, bowling Rupo out for 125.
Lindon Dowsett and Darren Quarrell took four wickets each. The Burras will resume at 2-61.
