Bulls happy after day one

Bundoora (Joe Mastroianni). 311961_01

Tara Murray

Bundoora knows it needs to be patient with the bat this Saturday if it’s to claim the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield premiership.

Aiming to win their first A-grade premiership in more than 20 years, the Bulls are half way through their match with Eltham.

Eltham was bowled out in the final over for 186 after winning the toss on day one.

Kieran Sheehan top scored with 39 before being run out.

Narinder Sharma, was the pick of the bowlers for the Bulls, with 5-33 off 22.2 overs.

Bulls coach Wayne Wunhym said they were pretty happy to be chasing that total, after looking in trouble early on day one.

“I think the match is pretty even,” he said.

“We’re more than happy with 186. They were 1-77 at the second drinks break.

“We thought a good score would be 220-plus on that ground.

“To keep them to 186 we walked off pretty happy, knowing anything can happen. We need to be patient and bat our overs.”

Wunhym admits the group was a bit flat to start the day, like they were waiting for something to happen.

He said they switched on after the tea break to turn the game around.

Having made some big scores this season, the Bulls know they can chase down the runs when they play well.

“I think our best is good enough,” Wunhym said.

“We know that it won’t be easy, but if we bat time we should be good.”

For Wunhym, coaching an A-grade premiership would be special. Of the last premiership team 22 years ago, only one person is still playing, Wunhym, albeit in another grade.

Wunhym said while this season had been challenging at times, he was proud of how everyone had come together, especially the Money Shield side.

“It’s the first side they’re all playing together,” he said.

“Andrew [Fairchild] the skipper has done a really good job gelling everyone together and getting everyone on the same page.

“To get us where we are is really good. We’re not a team of individuals, we play as a team.”