By Tara Murray
Rupertswood and East Sunbury couldn’t be separated in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield.
A last ball attempt at a run fell short for Rupo, to see the two teams share the points.
East Sunbury made 191 on day one of the match, setting Rupertswood a more than competitive total.
Rupo had their moments during the innings, but finished 8-191.
Rupo playing captain-coach Andrew Pizaro said there were mixed feelings with the result.
“It was a good comeback from us,” he said.
“It was one of those games there was a lot of what ifs and buts and maybes, but it turned out the way it did.
“It was a good atmosphere and plenty of support for both teams.
“It was disappointing to not scratch our way over the line, but considering where we had come from the last couple of weeks, it was a good result.”
Playing in their first two-dayer of the season, Pizaro said they had more of a game plan with how they went about their batting.
PHOTO GALLERY: Rupertswood vs East Sunbury
He said getting a couple of batsmen back had also helped. Rupo lost a few early wickets before steadying and looked in control at 3-92. They then lost 3-5 to crumble to 6-92 with the Thunder taking control.
Rupertswood fought back and took it down to the final ball, with scores level.
Pizaro was the batsman on strike for the final ball.
He was run out for 53 trying to hit the winning run. “It went straight to a fielder,” he said.
“There wasn’t a lot of boundaries, so you had to do a lot of running. With the field up, it was just trying to swing hard and try and get through the gap.
“I had nothing to lose.”
Pizaro was the top scorer, with Shane Van Rooy (45) and Max Howell (33) also making good contributions.
Hammad Rashid took three wickets for East Sunbury.
The match saw two players make their first XI debuts, Owen Thompson and Ryley Davis.
Both players are still playing under-17s with Rupo continuing to give their younger players plenty of opportunities.
Pizaro said it was an improved performance.
“How we went with the batting it worked, but we didn’t quite get across the line,” he said.
“They showed a bit of patience with the batting. A couple of little things didn’t go right.
“We take a lot of positives out of it. East Sunbury is a good side.
“We’ll continue to improve. “We haven’t had the greatest start and we’re two points outside the top four.”
Rupertswood this week faces Macedon.
Macedon came out on top between the two teams in a one-dayer earlier in the season. Other winners on Saturday were the Sunbury Kangaroos, Sunbury United and Wallan.
