RAIN wreaked havoc with Sunraysia’s latest Melbourne Country Week cricket campaign, as the representative side ended their tournament without a win.
After two losses to start their campaign, Sunraysia were hopeful of rebounding in their round three match-up against eventual finalists Casey Cardinia.
However, heavy rainfall in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne meant their scheduled game at Warrawee Park in Oakleigh on Wednesday was abandoned.
In their first match-up against Hamilton District, seven players scored between 20 and 37 runs, led by Kian Burns (37) and Josh Bowyer (32 not out), on path to a total of 8/218. Carey Magaw proved tough to handle as he took 5/31.
It was a respectable target but Sunraysia’s inability to capitalise with the ball saw their opponents chase down the target in 43.2 overs, finishing at 1/219, big-hitting opener Sam Wilson retiring on 107 not out.
The next day, 47 runs from captain Adam Thomson weren’t enough to secure the win against Maryborough District, who batted first and finished on 8/254.
At 24 overs, Sunraysia were 9/158 and lost by DLS decision when the game was called off due to poor weather.
After the washout against Casey Cardinia, Sunraysia headed to Greenvale to play their final game against Bairnsdale, who were undefeated after three rounds.
Bairnsdale were also bound for the final after defeating Sunraysia by 143 runs.
Batting first, Bairnsdale finished at 7/268, led by Curtley Farley who top-scored with 62, while Archie Walker, Locke Thornton and Tauseef Kataria all took two wickets.
Englishmen Josh Andrews (34) and Josh Bowyer (25) made solid starts but the rest of the order wasn’t able to follow suit, all out for 125 as Ricky Tatnell and Brodie Anderson took four wickets each.
Sunraysia players are set to return for the penultimate round of the home and away season on Saturday.
