Spotswood achieved a significant victory over Mt Waverley, reinforcing their position in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west competition. The match, held on January 6, 2024, marked the start of the second half of the season and was vital for the Woodsmen as they strive for a finals spot amid intense competition.
Woodsmen coach Paul Baker emphasized the importance of this win, stating, “It was an important game to get the second part of the season up and going. We had two games that we dropped which were out of the blocks and we didn’t perform well enough.” With the team now sitting in third place with 42 points, Baker noted the necessity of maintaining their winning momentum to secure a favorable position as the finals approach.
In this match, Spotswood won the toss and opted to send Mt Waverley in to bat first. The visiting team posted a total of 198 runs after 45 overs, with contributions from their batsmen. For Spotswood, bowlers Samuel Hope, Jakson Knight, and James Stewart each took two wickets, restricting Mt Waverley’s scoring potential. Baker acknowledged the challenge posed by the target, remarking, “A total like that is always tricky to chase down.”
The Woodsmen’s innings began with a setback when they lost Blayde Baker early in the game. Despite this, Ross Horkings teamed up with Seamus Lynch, who delivered a standout performance. Baker praised Lynch, stating, “He was fantastic… They played through the power play and we were 50-55 off the first 15 over period.” The quick outfield aided their scoring, allowing Spotswood to chase down the target with nearly nine overs to spare, finishing at 204 for 4.
Lynch’s exceptional performance culminated in his first century for the club, ending the innings with 104 not out. Baker expressed excitement about Lynch’s achievement, stating, “He’s a hell of a player and it hadn’t clicked yet… It was a pleasing thing for him to get 100.” This victory not only boosts the team’s morale but also strengthens their chances of success in the remainder of the season.
In addition to the main match, the weekend proved fruitful for Spotswood’s J G Craig Shield team, which secured a win against Williamstown, marking a positive turnaround from last season when they struggled to secure a victory.
Other matches in the east-west competition saw Williamstown extend their winning streak to four games. Yarraville faced a disappointing loss, while Altona experienced a dramatic collapse. Yarraville scored 158 runs, which was insufficient against Noble Park, who successfully chased down the target with 159 runs in the 35th over. In a remarkable turn of events, Altona was well-positioned at 226 for 3 before stumbling to finish at 226 for 8, with Croydon overcoming this challenge to score 230 for 7 and claim victory with an over to spare.
With the competition heating up as the season progresses, Spotswood is focused on continuing their success to solidify their place in the finals.
