Tara Murray
Sunbury United is excited for the challenge it faces with the bat this week against Gisborne in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
After falling short against Romsey in its last run chase, United has a big task on its hands this week against the ladder leaders.
After a slow start, Gisborne capitalised late on Saturday to make 6-294 from its overs.
Jarryd Vernon top scored with 89, while his brother Riley Vernon made 66.
Senura Perera took 3-111 off his 28 overs.
United captain-coach Upul Fernando said the Dragons had a good day out with the bat.
“It’s going to be a good game,” he said.
“Our bowlers bowled to our game plan, but they were too good. There was a little bit of moisture on the ball after the rain came, that made it so you couldn’t grip the ball.
“They were 1-80 at tea, before making 200 afterwards.”
Despite their bats not getting the job done against Romsey chasing 180 odd, Fernando is confident in the side stepping up this week.
“If you want to be a better team, you have to beat the best teams. Hopefully our senior boys can stand up like they have the last couple of years.”
A win will have United finish in second spot, while a loss could see the side slip to third or fourth ahead of finals.
Fernando admits they’ve had a few struggles this season with putting their best team on the park due to injuries and availabilities..
He said they were confident that they could go deep into finals.
“We just take it a week at a time,” he said. “We’ll take whatever comes.
“We’re really positive and hopefully a win this week will make us more positive.”
In other games on Saturday, Romsey is on top against East Sunbury.
Romsey made 7-248 before declaring after 51.4 overs.
Tim Dale top scored with 63 as all of the Redbacks batters got starts.
Nathan Dent and Sam Williams took three wickets each for the Thunder.
The Thunder, which is hoping to avoid relegation, had to face 24 overs at the end of day one.
They will resume at 4-57. Corey Day has two of the wickets for Romsey.
A top four spot is on the line for Bacchus Marsh and Diggers Rest Bulla in their match.
The Burras were bowled out for 240 with just over three overs remaining.
Charith Perera top scored with 78.
Jack Powell took 4-75 off 26 overs for the Bulls.
The Bulls lost a wicket late on day one and will resume at 1-4.
Rain meant less than half a day’s play was played between Rupertswood and Woodend.
Woodend was 1-80 off 33.5 overs.
Marcus Stewart was 51 not out for Woodend.
Wallan made 8-209 off 77 overs against the Sunbury Kangaroos.
Spencer Whittingham top scored with 57.
Adam Fearnley took six wickets for the Kangaroos.
