Bundoora United’s strong start to the season continued last weekend, with a good win against Mill Park in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Money Shield.
Having had a first-up win, United was keen to make it two from two on Saturday.
The bowlers did the job on day one, so it was up to the batsmen on the second day of the match.
And they didn’t let the team down, making the 112 runs needed in 38 overs for the loss of just two wickets.
Opener Corey Cogan, 77 not out, top-scored for United.
Bulldogs president Grant Flack said there had been a lot of intent in the side’s two innings this season.
They scored 3-307 in the opening round.
“It has been a great start,” he said.
“Corey has missed the last year and half after going away and living in England. We missed his keeping and he opens the batting as well. He provides a bit of stability. He had 120 in the first innings and backed it up with 77 not out.
“In the first game the boys were 2-9 before making 307.”
Flack said captain coach Mathew Ross had played a big part in the batting success by allowing the players to play their natural games.
“We went into survival mode last season. We’ve got a quite attacking bunch of batsmen and Matt wants them to play that way – to play with intent, and that was evident in the first two games.”
Having made the winning runs, the Bulldogs sent Mill Park back in, a move which surprised Flack and some of the others watching on.
But Flack said Ross was looking for an outright victory to show that the side would be positive in everything it did.
Mill Park finished 4-87 in its second innings.
Shaun Argent top-scored for Mill Park making 28, while United shared the wickets around.
Flack said it was all onwards an upwards for the club, which finished eighth last season.
“We lost track last season after being relegated,” he said.
“I think there was a bit of anger on how it happened and we went away from the way we wanted to go about things.
“Matt has been fantastic and has put things in place. He’s a cricket tragic and he loves cricket.
“In the long distance, hopefully there will be finals and we’ll have a crack, but it looks like it’ll be an even competition.
“The hashtag around the club is to be better.”
United is one of two teams with two wins from the first two rounds.
Mill Park is sixth, one of six teams with a 1-1 record.
Meanwhile in other results, Lalor Stars avoided an outright defeat against Research Eltham Collegians.
Bowled out for 108 chasing 6-204, the Stars were sent back in to bat a second time. They finished 2-81.
Mernda’s 164 was enough against Banyule, with Banyule bowled out for 147. Mitch McAuley took six wickets for Mernda.
