By Tara Murray
Sunbury United piled on the runs on the weekend in a vital game in the race for finals in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Facing another finals hopeful, Romsey, a win this week would put a gap between the sides with three rounds remaining.
United finished day one in a good spot, having made 9-317. United coach Archie Dudderidge said it was a really good day for the group.
“We got put in by the opposition who won the toss,” he said. “We were 0-100 or close to, before we lost two quick wickets for nothing just about.
“We had another good partnership then lost two quick wickets again.
“We shared the runs around and ended up putting on 9-317, which is a good day.”
Opener Dilan Chandima was the standout making 175, his second century of the season.
Chandima was the second last man out, just before they passed 300.
Despite the good day with the bat, Dudderidge knows the game is anything but over.
“It’s 50-50 at the moment,” he said.
“They have some good players who can make the runs. We’ll see what happens.
“It’s good to have 300 on the board and they have to get them. It might come down to whether we can hold our catches.”
For third placed United, a win here would help them go one step further to securing a finals berth.
Dudderidge said they were happy with the position they are in at this point of the season.
“We are a game ahead of them and a win puts us two games ahead of them with three games left.
“It’s a huge game for our club and hopefully set us up with a 90 per cent chance of making finals.”
This is one of two tough games for United in the run home.
They face a red hot Bacchus Marsh next round.
PHOTO GALLERY: Sunbury United vs Romsey
The first match between those two sides was washed out.
Bacchus Marsh is on track for an outright victory against St Anthony’s. St Anthony’s was bowled out for 101, with Ian Spiteri taking 4-20.
The Bulls were 1-123 when they declared.
St Anthony’s was 1-34 at stumps in its second innings.
Gisborne is also on track for victory against Riddell.
The Bombers were bowled out for 113 with skipper Heath Wadden top scoring with 53. Josh McDonald took three wickets for the Dragons.
The Dragons were 4-57 at stumps.
Mick Allen will resume at 15 not out, along with Sam Mackay, who is yet to score.
Wadden has three wickets for the Bombers. Diggers Rest Bulla is also on track for victory against Woodend.
Woodend was bowled out for just 132. There were plenty of starts for the Hawks, but no one could go on with it with Josh Eastley and Adam Johnstone top scoring with 27.
Lindon Dowsett took four wickets. The Burras will resume at 3-80 after facing 17 overs.
