Tara Murray
A batting collapse ended Spotswood’s hopes of back-to-back premierships in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The Woodsmen were on top for much of the north-west grand final against Kew, but weren’t able to perform when it counted most.
Having restricted Kew to 221 on day one, the Woodsmen were bowled out for 178 on Sunday.
Woodsmen coach Dan Schuppan said the loss was a bitter pill to swallow.
“It wasn’t the result we were after, but that is cricket,” he said. “Full kudos to Kew, they were outstanding.
“It was a fantastic effort by them. They are a fantastic club that is run well.”
Schuppan said after day one of the match they were happy with where the scorecard was sitting.
Schuppan took four wickets for the Woodsmen, while Sandeep Mandalika chipped in with three.
“We were rapt,” he said. “We talked about whether we would have been happy making 221 on our ground and we would not have been.”
The Woodsmen started well on Sunday and at 1-93 they were well in front of the game.
The wickets then started to fall and once they started they didn’t stop.
The Woodsmen lost 9-87 to be bowled out for 178.
Schuppan said they had no answers for Sam Pearce, who took 5-67.
“He bowled unbelievably well,” he said. “We always talk about taking the emotion out of it when bowlers get going at one end.
“We need to try and build partnerships. They got on a run and it was awkward for the batters.
“We want out time again, but we don’t get that”
Taylor Tatterson top scored for the Woodsmen with 61. His dismissal was one of the main talking points after he was given out handling the ball.
Tatterson picked up the ball to throw back to a fielder after it hit his pad. Kew appealed before the umpires consulted with each other before giving him out.
Schuppan said he understands both sides in the situation.
“I understand the reason why he was given out and see what the umpires did give it out,” he said.
“When you slow it down, I see Taylor’s point of view. It came down to the heat of the moment.”
While disappointed not to have won the premiership, Schuppan said they would still celebrate a really strong season.
“It was a massive effort to make the grand final and there’s always a winner and loser,” he said. “ To get through into the final game we are massively proud of the year that we had.
“I said to the players, enjoy the year, rather than falling at the last hurdle.
“As a club as a whole we are heading in the right direction. We finished 11th out of 32 in the club championship, we’ve improved every season.”
Schuppan said there would be plenty of motivation in the group to return next season and go one better.
“I think most people want to come back again,” he said. “We know we have got the right formula.”
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