Sunbury went from potentially facing a big run chase to being in control after day one of its clash with Diggers Rest Bulla.
The Burras started the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup match on a good note and were cruising at 3-125.
But the game swung quickly and they were bowled out for 169, losing their last seven wickets for 44.
Sunbury captain-coach Dylan Wright said his players knew that if they kept attacking, wickets would fall.
“We managed to peg it back,” he said. “We knew the way that they play and knew if a couple of chances went to hand that a few wickets can happen quickly.”
Brad Hunter took 7-51 to be the best of the bowlers. Jason McGann bowled tightly taking 2-31 off 20 overs.
Wright said Hunter was lucky.
“I thought it was the worst he had bowled all season,” he said.
“They weren’t coming out of the hand that good. We were lucky the catches went to hand.”
The Roar got off to a good start in the run chase before losing Jason McGann in the second last over of the day.
The Roar will resume at 1-37.
“It took a really good catch to get rid of Jason,” Wright said.
“Needing 140, we should be well and truly in the game. We know they have a couple of strike bowlers in their side.
“If we can get through them and try to bat as long as possible, we should get the win.”
Sunbury’s inconsistent start to the season has been fuelled by personnel changes.
After some off season turnover, a further three players are no longer at the club.
While that state of flux has not been ideal, it’s given the Roar opportunities to give younger players a chance.
Mitchell Johnson and Lachlan Treweek are both in the Roar’s side for this week.
A win would be the Roar’s third of the season, with Wright knowing it’s a crucial time for the side’s finals hopes.
The Roar is in the middle of a three-game period against the bottom three sides.
“If we don’t win this game we probably don’t deserve to be playing finals,” he said.
In other matches, Gisborne made 230 against Bacchus Marsh. Darren Ward batted all day for his 143 not out.
Riddell has a slight advantage against Lancefield after day one.
The Bombers made 154 before Matthew Livingstone took four wickets to have the Tigers in trouble at 4-18.
Rupertswood produced its best batting performance of the season, making 244 against Woodend.
Romsey made 7-266 against Sunbury United in the other game.
