Bendigo has no margin for error after suffering a shock loss to Warrnambool on day one of Melbourne Country Week.
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A fine century from Sandhurst’s Taylor Beard saved Bendigo from disaster with the bat, but its 6-220 total was reeled in by Warrnambool with three overs in hand.
Warrnambool eventually finished 7-235, leaving Bendigo to lick its wounds ahead of Tuesday’s must-win clash with Sale-Maffra at Box Hill.
“The first 10 overs of our batting cost us and our bowling wasn’t consistent enough all day,’’ BDCA coach Matt Pinniger said.
“It’s disappointing to lose, but not all is lost and we have to pad up again tomorrow. We have to try and find a way to win.”
Beard walked to the crease with Bendigo in all sorts of trouble at 4-26 after Shane Koop (5), Clayton Holmes (5), Zen Malik (14) and Jake Klemm (0) had failed to fire.
Beard batted with great purpose as he made 110 off 117 balls, including 11 boundaries.
He was the dominant player in innings-saving partnerships of 86 with Ben DeAraugo and 94 with skipper Linton Jacobs.
“Taylor’s innings was pretty special,’’ Pinniger said.
“He played to his strengths and to go at a run per ball when you come in in that situation was outstanding.”
Jacobs made a vibrant unbeaten 46 off 54 balls to ensure his side had a competitive total to defend.
Warrnambool’s reply started poorly when Bendigo veteran Adam Burns dismissed opener Nick Butters for seven.
Cameron Williams swung the game Warrnambool’s way with a swashbuckling half-century. He smashed 65 off 55 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, to put his side well in front of the required run rate.
The arrival of Brent Hamblin to the bowling crease changed the momentum of the game.
The Kangaroo Flat captain took four quick wickets to leave Warrnambool 5-122. Hamblin’s spell of 4-38 off 10 overs put Bendigo back on top.
When spinner Sam Sperling chipped in with two wickets, Bendigo had Warrnambool on the ropes at 7-175 with 10 overs remaining.
Warrnambool tailenders Thomas Batten and James Elford counterpunched with the bat.
Batten made 47 not out off 52 balls and Elford 23 not out off 31 balls as they added an unbroken 59 runs for the eighth wicket to guide Warrnambool home.
Bendigo was left to lament a poor day with the ball. 96 of Warrnambool’s first 145 runs came through fours and sixes and overall Bendigo conceded 25 fours and three sixes for the day. In contrast, Bendigo hit 19 fours and one six.
In other Provincial group games on Monday, Geelong gave Ballarat a belting. The Cats smashed 6-372 off 50 overs before restricting Ballarat to 8-192. Bairnsdale (219) scored a thrilling four-run win over Sale-Maffra (215) and Mornington (9-217 and 4-65) outclassed Traralgon (96).
