VTCA: Woodsmen’s finals hopes fading away

Spotswood’s bid for a finals berth in Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s north division is on death row.

Despite a five-wicket haul to Ashley Robertson, the Woodsmen were set an enormous task by western suburbs rivals Laverton at Laverton Park on Saturday.

The Woodsmen will need to make 251. and get some assistance from further afield after entering the last round outside the top four.

Any hope of a West Coburg win over fourth-placed Doutta Stars is looking unlikely.

The Burgers managed only 117 and the Stars have already picked off 61 for the loss of just two wickets.

Williamstown CYMS has a fight of its own at the opposite end of the table.

Trying to avoid relegation, CYs need to beat local rivals Altona North and hope that second-last Keilor Park doesn’t make up enough points to sink CYs into the drop zone.

So far, so good. CYs started confidently, being 0-20 chasing North’s 191.

But Keilor Park is well on top against Footscray United. Despite making just 102, Keilor Park has United in all sorts of trouble at 8-48.

In north A1, Seddon is on the verge of victory over ladder leader Taylors Lakes, which would be enough to qualify for the finals. Seddon is 0-26, chasing 109.

A loss to Taylors Lakes would open the door for Altona Roosters to steal top spot on the last day of the season, but the Roosters are in danger of losing to Craigieburn, crumbling to 7-68 in their chase for 107.

In west B1, only an unlikely outright can save Newport-Digman (73 and 1-13) from elimination after losing on first innings to Wyndhamvale (5-128dec).