FOOTSCRAY Edgewater had to settle for a split of their Victorian Premier Cricket Bush Bash matches in Horsham on Saturday.
The first XIs of all clubs were spread across country Victoria to play two Twenty20 matches each.
The Bulldogs lost their afternoon match to Geelong by five wickets but hit back in the evening game to beat neighbours Essendon by six wickets.
In the early match, the Bulldogs opted to set a total, compiling 6-130 off their 20 overs.
Captain Dean Russ was the cornerstone, smashing 54 to prop up an otherwise misfiring top order.
Dylan Kight (15) and Travis Dean (28 not out) scored much-needed late runs to add some respectability.
The Cats had little trouble chasing down the target, doing so with 10 balls to spare after 61 to Hayden Butterworth.
The best part of the back-to-back T20 format is that the Bulldogs didn’t have to wait long to redeem themselves and were straining at the leash to get a taste of Essendon.
The Bombers made a respectable 7-148, despite the Dogs being switched on in the field, removing both openers with run outs.
The Bulldogs reached the target with an over to spare with Russ leaving a lasting impression on the locals, scoring 84 not out to take his season tally to 385 at a stunning 64.17. Wes Robinson (26) and Tallan Wright (19no) also played their part.
The T20 strand of the home-and-away season continues in Premier Cricket with three to be played in the first five days next month.
The Bulldogs face Melbourne at Merv Hughes Oval on Saturday at 2.30pm then go to Hawthorn-Monash University on Sunday, starting at the same time.
PREMIER CRICKET
Firsts (at Horsham): Footscray Edgewater 6-130 (D Russ 54 T Dean 28no) lt Geelong 5-133 (B Robertson 2-13); Essendon 7-148 (W Robinson 2-19) lt Footscray Edgewater 4-152 (D Russ 84no W Robinson 26)
Seconds: Essendon 6-158 (M Hill 3-18) d Footscray Edgewater 112 (G Sheehan 38 J Knight 32)
Thirds: Essendon 6-100 (T McSweeney 3-17 R Allada 3-22) lt Footscray Edgewater 3-181 (H Castle 74 L Broadway 39 N Beever 25no)
Fourths: Footscray Edgewater 5-136 (M Freeman 50 M Collinson 44) d Essendon 6-133 (D Vipond 3-27)
