The hard work is only beginning for Bundoora in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield.
The Bulls are sitting in the top four at the Christmas break, but having fallen away in the second half of last season, they’re keen not to have a repeat.
Coach Wayne Wunhym said the side was tracking in the right direction.
“Our first goal was to be in the top four at Christmas,” he said. “That gives us the best chance in the new year of making finals.
“Overall, I would say that we are 35 per cent of where we want to be. The guys are playing well.
“We need to start the new year better than last season. We dropped after Christmas and I’ve said to them that we’re not going to drop off.
“We’re going to train harder and smarter.”
Wunhym said they believed that they would get better as the season went along as he settled into the coaching role.
He said they had looked to change a few things.
“It was about guys understanding their roles and not going outside their roles,” he said.
“Everyone is starting to play their roles.”
Wunhym said while they had played some good cricket to start the season there were still areas that they could improve on.
“We need to be more consistent with the top order batting,” he said.
“The good part is everyone is starting to contribute. Prince [Singh] has made a couple of big scores.
“The middle order is starting to make runs like they did on the weekend. Our bowling is steady, but we need to make some big scores.”
The Bulls bounced back on Saturday against Eltham after losing the previous round to Lalor Stars with Wunhym saying they didn’t play to their strengths against the Stars.
After winning the toss on Saturday, the Bulls made 7-185 from their 40 overs.
Rubal Singh-Dhillon top scored with 64.
Eltham didn’t get close, bowled out with five balls remaining for 145.
Shupinder Taggar and Singh-Dhillon took three wickets each for the Bulls.
As well as sitting third on the ladder, the Bulls are through to the next round of the Northern Region T20 competition.
They won all three of their matches in the pool round.
Wunhym said the club was in a good spot overall.
In other Money Shield matches on Saturday, Bundoora United had a big win against Laurimar.
The Bulldogs made 7-177 from their overs before bowling the Power out for 96.
The Bulldogs are in fourth at the Christmas break.
Bundoora Park was too strong for the Lalor Stars.
The Stars, who were coming off their first win of the season, made 9-150 in reply to the Thunderbolts 174.
Mernda remains win less after losing to Montmorency. Montmorency made 7-182 before restricting the Demons out for 9-106.
In the Barclay Shield, Epping lost to Macleod. Macleod made 6-190 from its overs, with the Pingers falling well short, with 6-147.
