Bacchus Marsh ends Sunbury United’ undefeated season in thriller

Reigning premier Bacchus Marsh put an end to Sunbury United’s undefeated season in a qualifying final boilover and leaving the title race wide open.

Reece Watson bowling for Bacchus Marsh. Picture: Richard Serong

Bacchus Marsh threw a cat among the proverbial pigeons on Saturday, ending Sunbury United’s unbeaten run in the GDCA McIntyre Shield qualifying final.

United hadn’t lost a game all season but fell flat at Langama Park as the reigning premier claimed a thrilling 10-run win.

Bulls skipper Tom Waddell was the hero, scoring an unbeaten 88, after walking to the crease at 4-44, while Jake Powell claimed 3-14 and Josh Calvitto took 4-27.

The Bulls flipped the script after being bowled out for 105 at Racecourse Reserve earlier this season in a five-wicket defeat.

Despite the earlier loss, Waddell always believed his team was capable of producing something special.

“We always thought they were beatable, even at the start of the year when they bowled us out for 100,” he said.

“They’re beaten now and they play Gisborne in a semi and we’ve got Romsey, probably the four best teams are left in it.

“It does (give us confidence), I think it’s game on in both semi-finals.”

After being sent in Bacchus Marsh found itself in early trouble before Waddell and David Dickinson (37) combined for a match-turning 107-run partnership.

Ian Spiteri then added 28 quick-fire runs to lift the Bulls to 6-196.

Waddell said the game could well have been lost without Dickinson and Spiteri’s contributions.

“We’ve had a few blokes make 50s and 60s and then we lose a lot of quick wickets,” Waddell said.

“On Saturday, I was able to turn that 50 into an 80, which is what we want from our batters – if you’re in go on with it.

“That’s my best score for the year by far, I struggled early in the year but have come good the last couple of weeks.

“(The partnership) probably was match-winning, they had us 4-40, so if we lose another wicket there we’re stuffed.

“Dave was opening when he came into the team at the start of the year and we decided to drop him down the order for this exact reason.

“It was the first game where our top four failed and that’s what Dave’s there for, to steady the ship, and he was awesome.

“Then Ian hit the ball well, hit a few boundaries, and without his knock we probably only score 160-170 and lose the game, so it was critical.”

The Bulls threw a surprise at Sunbury United, opening with young off-spinner Powell.

The move worked as he knocked over both Bees openers to have the minor premier 2-31 and in early trouble.

Senura Perera (37), Rajitha Mendis (29) and Sammika Perera (25) rebuilt the innings but all three – along with Zach Forster – fell to Calvitto and United could only muster 9-186.

Waddell heaped praise on his young bowlers.

“It was a bit of a plan to bowl Jake early and he did the job,” Waddell said.

“He helped Rhys (Watson) at the other end block it up, as Rhys does, and Jake provided something a little bit different.

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“Josh bowled well, he’s another one that started the season in the Twos.

“He came up after Christmas and hasn’t failed since, so I was rapt for him taking four-for.”

Bacchus Marsh’s Second XI will also feature in a semi-final on Saturday, while the Third and Fourth XIs have progressed to the grand final.

Elsewhere in McIntyre Shield, Gisborne (0-99) thrashed Diggers Rest Bulla (98) by 10 wickets and Romsey (1-90) was equally as ruthless against Wallan (89).