Sunbury United’s hopes of a season-defining winning weekend have been dashed by Diggers Rest Bulla.
Facing the Burras, who are on the bottom of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup ladder, on day one of a two-day clash on Saturday and a one-dayer on Sunday became a nightmare that put United well and truly in the relegation zone.
Speaking before the weekend’s matches United president Chris Linton had been hopeful of a couple of strong performances to cement the side’s spot in the top division.
“There have been games where we’ve been lucky and other games we have been unlucky and decisions haven’t gone our way,” he said.
“We haven’t been able to find that extra 10 per cent to get over the line when needed.
“It’s been a pretty tough year for the club and the guys are still feeling it.
“We’re not where we want to be and are just focusing on trying not to finish bottom.”
United’s batting let it down in both matches.
On Saturday, United conceded first-innings points to the Burras. United was bowled out for just 92, with Jack Landt top-scoring on 30.
Landt, who has recently returned to the senior side, was the only batsman to pass 15.
The Burras were 9-217 at stumps on day one.
On Sunday, in the one-dayer, United was bowled out for just 84. Adam Billinghurst top-scored with 25.
Diggers Rest Bulla chased the target down with ease, finishing on 2-88.
The two results could see United slip to bottom of the ladder at the end of next weekend, with two rounds remaining.
With the club having had a late promotion journey into the top grade, Linton said just staying in the top division was the aim.
“We didn’t have a really good preparation and it hasn’t helped most of us,” he said.
“We weren’t expecting [promotion] or ready for it … hopefully, we can finish the season on a high.”
Linton said that in recent weeks, they had been able to get a few more younger players into the top side – a good sign for the future.
Damien Edwards and Steven Fogarty have been thrown the captaincy reins in the second part of the season, further helping their development.
In other results from the one-dayers, Bacchus Marsh was too good for Sunbury, Gisborne smashed Rupertswood on the back of 182 not out by Danza Hyatt, Ben Way made 102 in Romsey’s win against Lancefield and Riddell defeated Woodend.
