By Tara Murray
Harkaran Gujral put on a show late to ensure that Bundoora is well on top against Research Eltham Collegians in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield.
The Bulls bowlers did the job early to put the side in a good spot, but it was Gujral who provided the fireworks late on Saturday.
Bulls coach Wayne Wunhym. said they were happy with the spot they are in after day one.
“We bowled really well and then batted well at the end,”he said. “Ït was a really good comeback.
“It’s a small ground so we had to field well.”
The Collegians were bowled out for 195 in the 70th over.
Shupinder Taggar was the pick of the bowlers for the Bulls taking 4-33 off his 24 overs.
It meant the Bulls had 10 overs to face at the end of the day.
While many sides just try to get through those overs, Gujral went on the attack.
He finished the day at 63 not out from 27 balls with seven fours and four sixes.
“He came out and took them on,” Wunhym said. “He was hitting the ball really well.
“He was hitting them in the air into gaps or over the boundary.”
The Bulls will resume on day two at 0-73. Declan Paras is the other not out batter and will resume at nine not out.
Wunhym said while they had got off to a good start the job was only half done and they would have to bat well on day two.
A win would move the Bulls to 3-3 with one game left before the Christmas break.
Wunhym said they would have taken that at the start of the season.
“Being 4-2 would be nice but if we’re 3-3 we’re happy going into Christmas,” he said. “It has been really good and numbers at training has been good as well.
“We’re happy to finish in the top four. If we can do that, hopefully we can put the pressure on a lot of the top sides.”
Elsewhere, Epping is well on top against Riverside.
After being sent in, Riverside was bowled out for 139 in the 63rd over.
Akash Cheema took 4-24 for the Pingers.
The Pingers then faced 17 overs at the end of the day and will resume at 1-59.
Bundoora United will need early wickets on day two against Macleod.
The Bulldogs were bowled out for 145 on Saturday.
Steven Favrin made 51 and Thilina Herath made 48 but there was little other support.
Macleod will resume at 1-2.
In the Money Shield, Rosebank is 3-67 in reply to Bundoora Park’s 90, while Lalor Stars is chasing Eltham’s 3-388.
Among the Mash Shield games, South Morang has already claimed first innings points against Mill Park.
