Tara Murray
Sunbury United produced the perfect team performance to win through to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup grand final.
Having waited 12 months for another shot at making a grand final, after going out in straight sets last season, United produced one of its best performances of the season in the semi final against Bacchus Marsh.
United coach Upul Fernando was ecstatic that they had been able to make it through to the final day of the season.
“We’ve very, very happy,” he said. “The boys are very happy.
“We were in the grand final two years ago and we made the semi finals last season. Hopefully we can win it this year.”
United set up the win on day one of the match.
Winning the toss, United decided to bat which proved to be the right decision as they hit the ball to all parts of the ground.
United made 9-320 from its 80 overs.
Ashan Ranaweera top scored with 134 at the top of the order.
Fernando said everyone played their role in the chase.
“To put 300 on the board in a semi final is massive,” he said. “We put the pressure on straight from the start.
“Ashan did his job, I got 50 odd in the middle… everyone chipped in to be honest and we played as a team.
“We don’t depend on one person.”
Fernando said their bowling group played really well, not allowing the Bulls to get going.
He said the Bulls played a very negative innings, which wasn’t what they were expecting.
“Needing 300, we expected them to take it on,” he said. “Senura Perera bowled well again and Raj [Rajitha Mendis]was really good.
“We took the wicket of [James] Lidgett and we targeted some of their players.
“We planned some things and the plans worked really well.”
Perera took four wickets for United, while Mendis finished with three wickets.
Brenton Payne played a lone hand for the Bulls, making 104.
United now faces Romsey in the grand final.
Fernando said they take plenty of confidence into the grand final having played well the last three weeks.
“We know we will be in the game,” he said. “We were expecting Gisborne, but what happened to us last year happened to them this year.
“We are on the right track and hopefully we win the grand final.”
Romsey knocked off minor premiers Gisborne in the other semi final.
The Dragons entered the match as favourites having lost just one game for the season.
The Dragons struggled with the bat, bowled out for just 123.
Romsey had no such trouble, finishing 3-124 in just 41 overs.
The grand final is Romsey’s second straight, having lost to Gisborne last season.
