Tara Murray
Spotswood continues to show why its the team to beat in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west.
With a rush for finals spots in the last part of the season, the Woodsmen sit eight points clear of the chasing pack with nine wins and just one loss for the season.
For last season’s premiership-winning coach Dan Schuppan things couldn’t be going much smoother.
“Everything is going OK,” he said. “There’s a reason why you’re on top this far into the seasons.
“There’s still four games to go and it’s definitely in our own hands. We’ll keep looking to cricket and know if we play our cricket it will stand up.
“There’s no complaining about anything.”
On Saturday, the Woodsmen completed a methodical win against Yarraville in a two-day clash.
The Woodsmen set up the win on day one, making 4-346.
Four players made half centuries, led by Declan O’Brien who finished with 94 off 70 balls.
Schuppan said someone like O’Brien was benefiting from having the likes of Lachlan McKenna and Jarrod Martignago coming into the team.
“Declan has taken his game to another level,” he said.
“At one stage we were looking at 280 and to have an extra 64 runs with exmrous hitting was massive.
“When I came in as coach I wanted to try and bring in guys with premier experience. Everyone bar one or two have played pathway cricket so they are really coachable.
“Lachie and Jarrod have 200 premier cricket XI games between them. Then being there is helping someone like Declan go to another level.”
Day two was a tough day in the field for the Woodmen who were able to get the job done in 67 overs.
The Eagles were bowled out for 231. Harry McAleer top scored with 61.
Schuppan said they were expecting a tough day.
“It was great effort yesterday [Saturday] playing in high temperature and a flat wicket,” he saod.
“You’re always a chance to chase that down. Every team has quality players with Josh Hahnel the leading run scorer in the competition.
“They have a young middle order that is pretty fearless. Our bowlers were never going to knock them over for 150 and it would take most of the day.
“The bowlers bowled beautifully.”
Samuel Hope was the pick of bowlers for the Woodsmen, with 4-45.
With another win in the book, the Woodsmen were back in action on Tuesday night in the semi finals of the T20 competition, after deadline.
Schuppan said this competition showed the mindset of the group.
“You have to play two or three under-21 players which is really good,” he said. “Taylor [Tatterson] has taken over the captainacy and he made it really clear that we are in it to win it.
“We have a very strong side and a lot of the older guys, bar myself, are putting their hands up, Credit to the group still wanting to play midweek cricket.”
In other results, Williamstown claimed an outright win against Plenty Valley to keep its finals hopes alive.
Altona fell well short against St Bernard’s OC, bowled out for 108 in reply to 9-241.
