However, the Bulls opened their account for the season with first innings points ahead of the weekend’s Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts grand final rematch with Mt Clear.

Brown Hill will face the Mounties, looking to overturn a narrow loss in last season’s decider and inflict their rivals’ first loss since the semi-final of 2012-13.

With a first innings win already in the bag on day one, the Bulls had eyes on maximum points on Saturday. 

Resuming at 0-3 and still 11 runs behind, Golden Point crumbled with the bat for the second time in the match. Brown Hill looked within reach of 10 points when Point staggered to 6-70 in its second innings.

With wicket-keeper Laurence Parker unable to bat because of a crack in his eye socket, the Pointies declared late at 9-121 with a lead of 107.

And with 24 overs remaining, the Bulls looked a chance.

But with quick runs needed, Andrew Warrick stifled the home side with 5-15 off 12 overs, giving him eight for the match and 12 in the first two rounds of the season.

This gave the Pointies an unlikely sniff of victory before the Bulls batted out the innings to be 6-53 at stumps.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au