Tara Murray
Bundoora United set the lofty aim of making a Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield grand final pre-season and on Sunday it achieved that.
The Bulldogs just missed finals last season and that drove the team all season as it firstly qualified for finals.
On the weekend, the Bulldogs showed their class with a strong all round performance against Lower Eltham to win through to the decider.
Bulldogs skipper Joel Thompson was slightly emotional after the game.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “It’s what you dream about and when it becomes a reality it’s really sweet, I can tell you that.”
The Bulldogs batted first on Saturday and made 269, bowled out on the final ball of the 80 overs
Corey Cogan top scored with 75 not out, while Thompson and Thilina Herath both scored half centuries.
Thompson said while it was a good start, he is never sure they have enough runs on the board.
“It was a great start and it puts the pressure back on them with two hot days in a row,” he said.
“Runs on the board are always a key. All year everyone has contributed. There were guys who missed out and other guys stood out.”
The Bulldogs bowlers headlined by Scott Barnett then got the job done, bowling Lower Eltham out for 149.
Barnett finished with 7-28 off 22.4 overs in a performance that Thompson said wasn’t human.
“He bowled 25 [23 overs] straight for about 29 runs,” he said.
“He didn’t have the preparation that he wanted. He had a baby on Friday and didn’t get much sleep.
“His professionalism and the way he goes about it… Shows what type of cricketer he is to do that after a big week with a new born.”
Thompson said seeing the club’s 10 year premiership reunion a few weeks ago had further inspired the group to go all the way.
“I think I said at the start of the season, nothing less than a grand final was the focus for us and we’ve now ticked that box.
“There’s so much belief in everyone. The confidence is growing and the most pleasing part as a captain is watching them grow as people and get more confidence in the sport they love and give up their summers for.”
The Bulldogs will face Plenty in the grand final.
Meanwhile in the Barclay Shield, Epping’s season came to an end against Macleod.
Macleod made 230 on day one of the match with Robert Tinsley and Billy McKeown taking three wickets each for the Pingers.
The Pingers got off to a solid start in their run chase and were 0-43. They quickly crumbled to 7-67 and in all sorts of trouble.
The Pingers lower order fought hard but it wasn’t enough as they were bowled out for 188.
McKeown top scored with 71 not out.
