Diggers Rest Bulla secure first win of GDCA McIntyre Shield season

Last season’s grand finalist Diggers Rest Bulla has endured a torrid start to the GDCA season but is back in the hunt after picking up its first win.

Lindon Dowsett in action for Diggers Rest Bulla.

Diggers Rest Bulla are on the board and back in the hunt.

Last year’s McIntyre Shield grand finalist has endured a tough start to the GDCA season, suffering two losses and a rain-affected draw.

However, the Burras found form on Saturday to secure a six-wicket win over Woodend at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve.

Chasing down the Hawks’ 9-133 with 7.3 overs to spare, the win lifts Diggers into fifth just outside the top four with a bye to come before the Christmas break.

Skipper Lindon Dowsett said the club was still confident it could compete for a finals spot in the back half of the season.

Diggers Rest Bulla coach Rhys Berry.

“We’re staying positive … we think we can win a few more games and you never know from there,” he said.

“We’ve got the bye this week, so we’ll get six points for that, and we’ll go into Christmas with 15 points.

“We’ll keep doing what we’re doing, stick to our bowling plans and batting plans, and as long as we keep training hard the victories will come.

“Especially in one-day cricket anything is possible on the day. United are very strong this year and Gisborne and the Marsh are always strong but you never know you’re luck.”

Missing spearhead Darren Quarrell, Marcus Ciunik stepped up to lead the Burras attack.

The off-season recruit returned to haunt his former club, claiming extraordinary figures of 3-9 from eight overs.

Coach Rhys Berry chipped in with 2-19 and Jordon McDonald 2-34.

Blake Robinson then blasted a quick-fire 44 at the top of the order and Nathan Crosland added 44 of his own, to help Diggers chase down its target.

“Marcus bowled the house down – he moves the ball both ways – and he’s been really good for our group,” Dowsett said.

“It was against his old side too, against all his mates.

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“Blake Robinson got us off to a flyer early, hit a couple of boundaries and sixes, which is what you want chasing a total like that.

“Nathan is one of our young kids, we see him as the future No.3 at the club, and he’d been working really hard at training, so it was pleasing for him to get a good score.

“We lost a few players from last year but the kids are now getting a turn and it’s good to see them getting rewarded.”

Elsewhere, Gisborne picked up a comfortable eight-wicket win over East Sunbury as Pat McKenna knocked up a half-century and Mick Allen claimed 4-10 and Sunbury United carried on it’s outstanding early-season form, beating Bacchus Marsh by 44 runs at Maddingley Oval.