Tara Murray
Riddell has been testing the nerves in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield.
After a tie in its previous match with Gisborne, the Bombers’ two-day match with Aintree went down to the final ball.
Bombers captain-coach Heath Brown said that Aintree needed eight or nine off the final over and then three of the final ball.
Brenton Stancombe had the job and was able to hold his nerve, getting a wicket off the final ball and bowling Aintree out.
Brown said he didn’t think they had enough runs on the board, having made 9-321 on day one of the match.
James Taylor was the star of that innings, making 106.
“I didn’t think 300 was enough, it’s a batters game at the moment with dry and hard grounds,” he said.
“I was nervous, but we were able to take our chances and they came off. Aintree laid on the ground for 20 minutes after the game, disappointed with the result.”
Brown said the key for them on the weekend was finally having options to select in their top side.
He said they’ve struggled to have everyone available every week.
“It’s the first game in three years we’ve been able to have 14 first XI players to select from, which was good,” he said.
“Next week we’ve got two of our top three batsmen away and we won’t have a full side.
“With work and families, people haven’t got that commitment.”
The win keeps the Bombers in finals contention. Less than six points separates fourth down to ninth.
Only Gisborne is out of finals contention with three rounds remaining.
The Bombers have a tough run home, starting with a Saturday-Sunday match against Macedon this week.
“If we win two of the last three games, we should make the finals,” he said. “We just beat a top four side and kicked them out of the top four and now we play another top four side.”
In other matches, Eynesbury beat Gisborne in a high scoring match.
The Eagles made 6-351 on day one of the match on the back of 171 from Tristian Francis and 128 not out from Brandon Shearson.
The Dragons had plenty of balls to make the runs, but were bowled out for 300. Jacob Murphy made 99.
Macedon got across the line against Kyneton in a battle between two top four sides.
The Tigers had made 233 on day one of the clash, with the Cats passing the total six wickets down.
They batted on, finishing 8-249. Daniel Trotta top scored with 74 not out. Louis Thompson took three wickets for the Tigers.
Kilmore was too strong for Sunbury United. Having made 211, Kilmore then bowled United out for 173.
Bacchus Marsh had a big win in the other match against Romsey.
Romsey had made 162 on day one of the match, with the Bulls making 9-219 in reply.
