After an opening-round washout for the top two grades, Buninyong’s senior sides finally got on the park this weekend. All five men’s teams took part, and we came away with three wins.
First XI
Bacchus Marsh 7-248 defeated Buninyong 213 (lost by 35 runs)
Bacchus Marsh won the toss, batted, and got off to a 110-run opening stand before Buddhi Samarawickrama pegged them back. He finished with 3/41 from his 10 overs. Chasing 249, Harrison Bond made 50 at the top of the order. We slipped to 7-147, and the game looked to be gone. Jack Sheppard (50 off 55 balls) and Darcye Moloney (19) put on 55 for the eighth wicket to keep us in it, and Jack was last man out with the total on 213. A loss, but the side never stopped fighting.
Second XI
Buninyong 2-79 defeated Bacchus Marsh 78 (won by 8 wickets)
This was a clinical performance. Patrick Clark led the attack with 4/16. Harkirat Singh bowled seven overs, five of them maidens, and gave up just eight runs. Bacchus Marsh were all out for 78. Then our President, Brad Byrnes, walked out and made 42 not out from 44 balls. The chase was over in 14.1 overs.
Third XI
VRI Delacombe 0-105 defeated Buninyong 104 (lost by 10 wickets)
Sent in to bat, the 3rds found runs hard to come by. Timothy Lucas (27) and Darcy Tasker (22) did the bulk of the scoring. Delacombe knocked off the runs without losing a wicket, so the 3rds will be keen to bounce back against Lucas on Saturday.
Fourth XI
Buninyong 6-156 defeated Lucas 103 (won by 53 runs)
Arsalan Eubaid did it all. He made 51 not out with five fours and two sixes, then took a wicket with the ball. Charith Sumanarathne added 45 and Evan Milgate 23 to set up a total of 156. Cooper Dellaca (4/24) and Cameron Joyce (3/23) then bowled Lucas out for 103 in the 28th over.
Fifth XI
Buninyong defeated Bacchus Marsh (forfeit)
The 5ths take the points on forfeit and will get their first proper hit next round.
From the President
Brad led from the front in the 2nds and was just as pleased with what he saw across the club.
“I’ve had lots of very positive feedback from captains and players across all grades. I thought we represented well, both on and off the field,”
“Good early signs for the year ahead, and a testament to all the hard work that’s gone in from this group and our coaches so far.”
For a club that prides itself on being more than cricket, the way we carry ourselves counts as much as the result. The first weekend ticked both boxes.
Full scorecards are on PlayHQ. See you at the ground next weekend.