Tara Murray
Williamstown boosted its finals chances with a solid win against Endeavour Hills in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west on the weekend.
With 10 teams still in the finals race, every win is vital in the run home. The Seagulls did their hopes no harm on the weekend.
Endeavour Hills won the toss and decided to bat, a decision Seagulls’ Jordan Doyle said suited their plan.
They were able to bowl Endeavour Hills out for 141.
“We were thinking about bowling anyway as we’ve had some good results bowling first this season,” Doyle said.
“Fraser Hay started off really well and it was a good performance throughout. Daniel Popa got three really good wickets and our captain Sean Sturrock got a couple as well.
“It was a pretty even contribution across the board.
“That score was a bit below par on that ground.”
Doyle said it was a hard wicket to get in on, but most of their players ended up getting starts in an even team performance.
The Seagulls passed the total three down, before giving some of their other bats some time in the middle.
The Seagulls finished 7-197.
“Fraser Hay has gone up and opened the batting the last four to five matches and is doing a really good job,” Doyle said.
“He was super at the top and then it was a pretty even contribution after that. Once it was done and dusted, a few other players got a bat.
Hay top scored with 44 to go with his three wickets. Doyle said the move of Hay to the top of the order wasn’t originally planned for the two-day format.
“He batted down the order previously with us and at Footscray,” he said. “His batting has improved a fair bit and we decided to use him as a bit of a pinch hitter role in the one-dayers.
“When other wickets fell, he really dug in and showed some technique and looked the part. We’ve stuck with him and he’s made a couple of 70s and a 40 on the weekend.”
The win and other results has the Seagulls sitting in second spot with two rounds remaining.
They are one of three teams on 51 points, while Endeavour Hills which is in 10th is still a mathematical chance of making finals.
The Seagulls have the best percentage in the competition which could be important.
Doyle said getting the win against Endeavour Hills was important.
“There’s a lot of sides on similar points,” he said. “We’ve tried to have a strong percentage throughout the season to help us finish as high as possible.”
The Seagulls finish their regular season against Taylors Lakes and Melton.
Spotswood cemented its spot at the top of the ladder with a big win against Hoppers Crossing.
The Woodsmen made 9-298 on the back of a second straight century to Ross Horkings.
The Cats were bowled out for 257 in reply.
Altona remains a game outside the top six, despite a loss to Donvale.
The A’s were bowled out for 155. Donvale made the runs with ease finishing 5-199.
Yarraville ended Melton’s winning run with a convincing win.
The Eagles made 273. The Lions were bowled out for 182.
