Harper Sercombe
It was a bowlers day at Langama Park as 15 wickets fell on the first day of Sunbury United’s Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup clash with Woodend.
United was sent to the field and got away to a strong start, having Woodend four down for about 30.
However, opening batsman Harry Lawson was able to dig in and make a team high 78, to get Woodend to all out for 138 from 65 overs.
United’s Fabian Fernando was again good with ball in hand taking 4-28 from 12 overs.
Amrit Sandhu and Senura Perera were also great with the ball, with Sandhu taking 2-33 from 22 overs, including seven maidens, while Perera took 2-37 from 20 overs with six maidens.
United then took to the pitch and the wickets continued to fall, with United set to continue on Saturday at 5-46.
“I’m happy but the way we are batting, losing five wickets, I was expecting one or two,” United captain-coach Upul Fernando said.
“It was poor batting, so hopefully the rest of the batters make the score and achieve the target, fingers crossed.”
Fernando said after a poor game against Diggers Rest Bulla their fielding and bowling is getting better and better.
“They are bowling the lines I like, and taking good catches, we have the best spinners in the league and they’re standing up again and bowling a lot of overs to keep the runway down and put more pressure back on them. It was good partnership bowling, building pressure.
“Fabian stood up as per usual, he bowled really well, his confidence is very high.”
Fernando was also impressed with all rounder Jack Dillon’s performance, taking 2-24 and is on eight not out.
“You can’t miss him, he’s doing really well, he took a good two wickets and came back strong after not bowling last weekend,” he said.
“It’s not easy as a bowler, you need to bowl every week to get rhythm, so he stood up as well, which is a good sign.
“The last two weeks he has been really good, especially with the bat, his contributions are massive for the club.
“We believe he will do the magic this week as well.”
While there is plenty of work to be done with the bat, Fernando said he is confident that his team can do it.
“I believe all 11 can bat together,” he said.
“When we’ve played different sides some of them have bat higher.
“Aaron Wright made a 60 last week and he hasn’t batted yet.
“Amrit Sandhu as well, he was in a big partnership with Aaron last week.
“I believe in the team, hopefully they can put themselves together and achieve the target.”
In other matches, Diggers Rest Bulla made 9-229 against Macedon, Gisborne is 1-59 in reply to Romsey’s 190 in the top of the table clash, and the Sunbury Kangaroos are 5-44 in reply to Rupertswood’s 105.
