By Tara Murray
Sunbury United started the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season in fine form with a big win against St Anthonys.
Playing the newly promoted Saints, it was a little unknown for United going into the match, but they fired with both the bat and ball, to win by 107 runs.
Sent in, most of United’s top and middle order got starts, with the side posting 4-221 off its 40 overs.
Adam Dudderidge top scored 84 not out, while Ryan Billinghurst made 39.
New recruit Dinuska Malan, who has played sub-district cricket, chipped in with 36 not out.
St Anthonys got off to a decent start and were 1-65.
But it all went wrong from there, losing 5-6 to slump to 6-71. From there it was hard work, with the Saints batting out the overs, finishing 8-114.
Dilan Chandima, another new face for United, was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-20 off eight overs.
United coach Archie Dudderidge was happy with the first up performance.
“It was a good start,” he said.
“Everybody contributed and it was a good team effort.”
Dudderidge said they were weary if they had enough runs on the board from past experiences.
He said once they got rid of Saints Cam Clayton, they were able to dominate the rest of the bowling innings.
Dudderidge said they weren’t getting carried away with the result, knowing there’s still a long season ahead.
“I know St Anthonys won the premiership and came up,” he said.
“They may have been missing a few players. It’s a bit of a guessing game early about who sits where and it’s hard to judge.
“We need to get well and truly into the season to see where we sit.”
It was a new-look bowling attack for United.
PHOTO GALLERY: Sunbury United vs St Anthonys
Matt Livingstone, who won the GDCA best player medal for the 2017-18 season, was another inclusion.
Livingstone, who had been playing at Riddell, had the past season off. He had previously played at United.
Dudderidge said it was good to have Livingstone back at the club.
“He’s as good as bowler as there is in the comp,” he said.
“He was a junior at the club and then had four or five years away. He will help us with the emerging juniors at the club”
There were a couple of thrillers to open the season, with Gisborne and Riddell getting important wins.
Gisborne claimed the points against Bacchus Marsh in the grand final rematch.
The Bulls made 7-175 on the back of 66 from skipper James Lidgett.
The Dragons made the runs with one over remaining, finishing 7-178.
Englishman Tom Sanders made 42 on debut for the Dragons.
Riddell snatched victory against Woodend in the final over.
Woodend made a solid 6-177 from its overs with all of the top order getting starts. Adam Johnstone top scored with 43.
Riddell’s top order also started well, before the middle order failed, leaving the side 6-95.
The Bombers lower order continued to fight, but at 9-151 it was a tough challenge ahead.
The game got down to the final over, with a six from Ben Said on the second ball of the last over sealing the win.
The Bombers finishing 9-178.
Samuel Dempsey top scored with 37, while Said, coming in at number nine, contributed a handy 27 not out.
Jamie Pettigrew took five wickets for Woodend.
Diggers Rest Bulla was the other winner, easily accounting for Romsey.
Romsey was bowled out for just 103, with William Collins top scoring with 30.
The Burras had little trouble in the run chase, finishing 3-105, with 22 overs still remaining.
Kevin Barker top scored with 40.
