SUNRAYSIA couldn’t back up their first up win in Melbourne Country Week cricket, succumbing to a strong Warrnambool side by 97 runs on Wednesday.
It leaves them requiring a win on Thursday against South West Cricket Association for any chance of making Friday’s Division 2 final.
Warrnambool finished their 50 overs at 9/296 and despite the Sunraysia bowlers taking regular wickets, their opponents were able to build strong partnerships.
SCA ran out of time with the scoreboard at 7/199, with Adam Thomson posting a second half-century in a row with 54, Nick Giofre sharing in an 87-run stand, with the former on the way to 47.
Englishman Harvey Ault was the leading wicket taker for Sunraysia with 3/86, while co-captain Shaun Matthews took 2/47.
Sunraysia got off to a bright start with Ryan Muir dismissing Warrnambool skipper Cameron Williams for six, via an Adam Thomson catch.
They put on an 80-run second wicket partnership in quick time, before Ault dismissed the dangerous Jack Burnham for 50 off 52 deliveries in his first over.
Each time Sunraysia grabbed a couple of quick wickets, another partnership was waiting in the wings.
Opener Geoff Williams top scored with a well crafted 78, while Todd Lamont clearly thought it was a Twenty20 match scoring 77 from just 44 deliveries, a knock that included eight sixes.
