Bundoora United is hoping a first win for the season will kick start its Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield season.
The Bulldogs were finally able to taste victory on Saturday as they accounted for Rosebank.
Bulldogs skipper Joel Thompson said there was a bit of relief with the first win on the board.
“It was nice to get one on the board and it hopefully leads to more,” he said.
“It’s been a tough run with both the grand finalists first up. We’ve been in positions to win in both games but weren’t good enough.
“We’ve learned each week and changed a couple of things to find the right formula.”
On Saturday, the Bulldogs decided to bowl first and were able to restrict Rosebank to 7-146.
Rosebank had started the innings with 0-49.
Riley Gaylard and Scott Barnett took two wickets each for the Bulldogs.
Thompson said they were able to bowl tightly to restrict Rosebank from getting a good total.
With the batting the Bulldogs changed some more things around to find the right mix.
It worked with the Bulldogs making 4-147 and hit the winning runs with three overs remaining.
“We were attacking from the start,” he said.
“It’s hard when you’ve been close to getting results not to fall into that losing culture.
“We changed some things and went back to our strengths to get the win.”
Thompson set the tone at the top with 50 off 38 balls.
William Brennan finished 42 not out to guide the side home.
The win moves the Bulldogs to eighth on the table.
While all wins are important every season, they are even more important this season.
With the competition to be restructured, the bottom three teams will be relegated at the end of the season.
“It will be tough with three sides going down from Barclay Shield,” Thompson said. “Looking at the ladder it’s still pretty right and hopefully this is the start of getting something on the board.
“Last year we were a game and little but out of the finals.
“We know we’re competitive to do it and get to finals.
“The first goal is to stay up.”
The Bulldogs will face Diamond Creek in their next match.
Thompson said they were looking forward to play at home after their first couple of home matches were washed out.
Thompson said overall things were going well at the club with all four seniors sides starting strongly.
He said most pleasing was the pathway from junior to senior cricket which was again on show on Saturday with 15-year-old Cooper Walshe making his first XI debut.
In other matches, Bundoora beat Heidelberg, while Epping easily accounted for Riverside.
