Tara Murray
Bundoora United will take the lessons learned from last season as it aims to go further in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield.
The Bulldogs finished last season on top of the ladder, but exited the finals in straight sets.
Playing-coach Joel Thompson said the exit had left them disappointed, but would use it as they looked to move forward this year.
“One thing I learned was that not many had played finals before, or if they had it was a long time ago,” he said.
“This year if we’re to get there again we will talk about that and it will hopefully calm their nerves.”
The Bulldogs had a shorter pre-season this year, with Thompson conceding they had shown a bit of tiredness in the finals.
He said they had a similar squad to last season with a couple of key additions.
Will Brennan, who played juniors at the club, returns having played Victorian Premier Cricket at Northcote.
Anurag Joshi, who was at Victorian Sub-District club Plenty Valley last season, has also joined the club.
Thompson said there were good signs that people were wanting to come on board.
“Will played a lot of junior cricket for us and he’s been playing in the T20s and was always showing his face around the club.
“Joshi will fit in the group as well. It says a lot about the culture that they want to play for us, we have phone calls from players wanting to come but we couldn’t fit them all in.”
Despite many competitions and grades not getting on across Melbourne, the Money Shield got underway on Saturday. The top three grades in the DVCA went ahead but all the lower grades were called off.
The Bulldogs started with a big win against Mernda.
The Bulldogs made 6-214 from their 40 overs with Luke Joyce top scoring with 55. The Demons started well and were 0-77 before crumbling to be bowled out for 142.
Scott Barnett took 5-5 off 3.3 overs to do the damage.
Thompson said like always, finals were the aim for them this season. He said they had the calibre of players and plenty of potential to go deep into finals.
“We look forward to playing cricket in March,” he said.
In other results, Eltham defeated Lalor Stars.
The Stars were restricted to 6-135, with Eltham finishing 6-136 in the 35th over.
Lower Eltham was too strong for the promoted Laurimar, Laurimar made 9-151 which Lower Eltham chased down easily, finishing 2-152.
Plenty beat Bundoora in a high scoring affair. The Bulls made 8-191, with Plenty finishing 5-195.
Montmorency beat Bundoora Park in the other match.
Meanwhile in the Barclay Shield, Epping had a big win against Rosebank.
Rosebank was restricted to 9-114 with Robert Tinsley and Jordan Wilkins taking three wickets each.
The Pingers made the runs with 10 balls to spare, finishing 5-115. Nathan Gardiner top scored with 55.
Diamond Creek, Rosanna, Heidelberg and Macleod were the other winners.
