By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh is relieved to finally get some points on the board, after claiming first innings points against Woodend in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Having suffered two close losses to start the season, the Bulls have had to settle for draws the past three rounds due to poor weather.
Despite ominous looking conditions on Saturday, the Bulls and Woodend were able to get a full day’s play in.
The Bulls made the most of it, claiming first innings points in the first two-day match of the season.
Bulls’ playing coach James Lidgett said it was good to have some luck and finally get in some cricket.
“Frustrating is the best word to use,” he said of their season so far.
“It’s not that we’ve been playing bad cricket. We had a couple of close losses, where we had bad patches.
“And we’ve had some poor weather. A couple of teams have been a bit more unfortunate than others.”
Lidgett said he thinks Saturday was the first time this season they haven’t had to come on and off the field because of rain.
Woodend elected to bat and it would be a tough day as it was bowled out for 82.
Lidgett said they would have taken that at the start of the day.
“I think we play two-day cricket better than one-day cricket,” he said.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bacchus Marsh vs Woodend
“In the one-dayers we struggled to take wickets against some teams.
“We were still confident which was a really good thing.
“We executed our plans really well.”
The Bulls shared the wickets around with Ian Spiteri leading the way with three wickets.
Lidgett said despite knowing they had the opportunity to seal first innings points on day one, that wasn’t their main focus. “
We instructed them to bat as reasonably as normal until we got past the score and then we would reassess.
“The openers did a good job.”
The Bulls declared at 3-99. Alex Porter, in his first game of the season, top scored with 35.
Lidgett, who made 32, said it was good to have Porter back in the side.
“It’s not just his skills, but his knowledge. He wants to keep competing and it’s good to have him back in the side.”
The Bulls had the chance to bowl 12 overs at Woodend at the end of the day. Woodend finished 0-34, with a lead of 17 runs heading into day two.
Lidgett said they would look at having a crack at an outright win, but a lot would depend on how Woodend approached its second innings.
Around the grounds, the star of the show on Saturday was Diggers Rest Bulla’s Indika Massalage against Sunbury United.
Massalage scored a club record 266 to help his side to 4-450 off their 80 overs.
Gisborne has already claimed first innings points against St Anthony’s.
St Anthony’s was bowled out for 90, with skipper Cam Clayton top scoring with 33.
Gisborne will resume at 1-173 on day two.
Romsey is 1-46 in reply to Riddell’s 149 in the other match
