While 160 runs might not seem many, Beechworth Wanderers know they will be in for a tough chase when they resume their clash with Ovens Valley United on Saturday.
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Wanderers skipper Brenton Surrey believes the game is very evenly poised.
“It was a pretty hard day of cricket, we bowled well, but they batted well too so I think both teams would be reasonably happy,” Surrey said.
“They would have liked a few more and we would have liked to get them a bit cheaper, but that’s cricket.”
Surrey said his side has moved on from its disappointing loss to competition leaders City Colts in round two, after the Wanderers had them at 7-36, but allowed them to get to 123.
Colts successfully defended the total, with Beechworth only mustering 101.
They will be out to ensure a similar collapse doesn’t happen this weekend.
“I think the pitch will be much the same as last week, we just need to bat out time and don’t give them too many easy wickets,” Surrey said.
The return of Matthew Ryan from Melbourne has also been timely for Beechworth.
“He’s been really good with bat and ball; he made 40 runs in his first game and took four wickets last week,” Surrey said.
He believes the competition is very healthy across the board, but said Rovers United-Bruck have been the early standouts.
In remaining games, Greta face the ominous task of chasing down City Colts’ 8-272, Rovers United-Bruck have plenty to defend against Corowa after posting 9-278, Wangaratta Magpies have 176 runs on the board against Benalla Bushrangers, while Delatite require a further 113 runs with six wickets in hand against Benalla-Violet Town United.
