Bulldogs out in straight sets

Max Birthisel (Jacob Pattison)321156_01

It’s been a disappointing end to the Victorian Premier Cricket season for Footscray, knocked out in straight sets.

After a strong season, the Bulldogs finished the season with three straight losses, including to St Kilda on the weekend in the semi final.

Footscray , which finished the regular season in second, won the toss and decided to make St Kilda bat at Mervyn Hughes Oval on Saturday.

Having piled on the runs in the final round season match between the two clubs, the Saints did it again on Saturday.

After losing an early wicket, the rest of the Saints top and middle order ticked the scoreboard over.

At 3-197, the Saints were on top and pushed the scoreboard to 4-288. While the Saints lost late wickets, they finished 8-324 from their 90 overs.

Edward Newman finished 106 not out.

Umair Butt took three wickets for the Bulldogs, while Jake Reed and Dean Russ took two wickets apiece.

The Bulldogs were hoping their top order would fire early on day two, but the Bulldogs start was the stuff of nightmares.

They were quickly in trouble at 5-16 with Dylan Brasher, Travis Dean, Dylan Kight and Dean Russ all back in the sheds.

The Bulldogs finally got partnership between Mitchell Jamieson and Daniel Sartori, who batted at number seven instead of at the top of the order,

The Bulldogs then lost four wickets, for the game to be all but over at 9-121.

The Bulldogs tail wagged with Max Birthisel and Butt showing some resistance.

The pair put on 85 for the last wicket partnership to give the score some respectability.

It was never enough with the side bowled out for 206 in the 70th over.

Birthisel top scored with 49 not out, while Butt made 31.

Ringwood won the other semi final, beating Richmond easily.

Melbourne and Carlton are awaiting the two winners in the preliminary final.