By Tara Murray
Riddell continues to show positive signs despite not getting the desired results in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup competition.
A late inclusion into the top grade with the departure of Sunbury, the Bombers always knew this season would be a tough one, with wins likely to be hard to come by.
With one win so far, the Bombers currently sit seventh ahead of St Anthony’s. Bombers president David King said while it had been tough, they weren’t dropping their heads.
“We might have expected to be down the bottom end,” he said.
“The boys are still enjoying it and keeping really positive. We have been thereabouts and haven’t been flogged which is a good thing.
“We’re one or two batsmen short.
“Hopefully we get close and maybe get one or two more wins, which would be great.”
King said the availability of players had also hurt them, with the side not having as much depth as other clubs and in previous years.
He said there had been a number of highlights in the first part of the season.
Matthew Darby, who has missed several games, made a century against Diggers Rest Bulla before Christmas.
The development of some of the younger players had also been a shining light.
“We’ve had juniors that would normally play in the twos,“ King said.
PHOTO GALLERY: Riddell vs Bacchus Marsh
“They’ve been happy to step up and fill the void.
“My son Harrison King, who is 16, and Daniel Schwarzenberg is 15, and they’re two of the younger ones.
“They haven’t been intimated. They haven’t bowled but when they’ve batted at times they’ve been able to hold up an end, so the batsmen at the other end can add some more runs.”
The Bombers returned to the field on Saturday in the second of the T20 matches, facing two-time reigning premiers Bacchus Marsh.
The Bulls made 2-146 from their overs, with skipper James Lidgett top scoring with 56.
Riddell captain coach Heath Wadden took both wickets for the Bombers. The Bombers didn’t get close, finishing 9-99.
Wicketkeeper Harry Fisher top scored with 22 not out, coming in at number six. King said the focus for the rest of the season was to try and get a couple more wins to ensure that they stay in the top division.
He said when they put their hand up to go back into the top grade, they didn’t want it to be for just one season.
With St Anthony’s winless, the battle for bottom spot and relegation will be between those two sides.
“St Anthony’s, when we come up against them, will be a big game,” he said.
In other results, Gisborne remains undefeated after beating Romsey, Diggers Rest Bulla was too good for St Anthony’s and Sunbury United beat Woodend
