Two finals defeats have brought to an end Riddell’s T20 campaign.
Already handling their regular Gisborne and District Cricket Association commitments, the Bombers spent the past few weeks also juggling T20 finals in the Cricket Willow Cup and the Cricket Victoria Regional Big Bash.
On Sunday, they fell short against East Belmont in the semi-finals of the regional big bash.
A win would have seen the Bombers through to the grand final at the MCG.
East Belmont started well and was cruising at 2-93.
But the Bombers worked their way back into the game, with two wickets in as many balls to Jack Baker playing a big role.
East Belmont posted 7-161 on a small, quick ground.
Bombers coach Mick Allen said his side had responded well to restrict East Belmont after its flying start.
The Bombers’ chase started well, with Allen and Haydn Ross putting on 48 for the first partnership.
Despite a fourth-wicket partnership between Allen and Baker that looked to have the Bombers on track, the task proved too hard.
“The spinners tied us up a bit,” Allen said. “We got going with Bakes – he had a run-out [backing up], which was a little unfortunate. If he had have stayed in for another over or two, it could have been a different story.”
With Allen and Baker back in the sheds, the Bombers needed some big hitting in the final few overs.
But pushing hard for runs brought the Bombers undone – they lost four wickets in as many balls in the 19th over. If not for a dropped catch, they would have lost five wickets in a row.
The final wicket fell with four balls remaining, leaving the Bombers 18 runs short of victory. Allen top scored with 43 and Baker made 35.
Allen said that despite the loss, it had been a good learning experience for the side.
“We’ve gone from being a hard-wicket team to playing on turf,” he said. “We had to go and buy some of the players spikes the last few weeks. It’s been a massive learning curve and we’ve been playing a lot of cricket.”
The loss followed a defeat at the hands of Mt Clear in the division 1 final of the region’s Cricket Willow T20 competition.
Missing several of their regular side, the Bombers were punished, with Mt Clear posting a massive 4-255. Mackenzie Casson was the best of the bowlers with 2-35.
The Bombers could manage only 8-141 off their 20 overs. Allen top scored with 53.
Allen said it was yet another experience for the playing group.
“We probably had nine players out on Thursday, which made it tough,” he said. “It was a big learning curve, a fast one at that.”
