WILLIAMSTOWN has barged into the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west group top four on the back of three consecutive wins.
The in-form Seagulls showed their versatility with victories in both the longest and shortest forms of the game in the space of two days.
Their big weekend, however, came at a significant cost, with star all-rounder Craig Sheedy injuring a hamstring. He could face an extended period on the sidelines.
“It’s a little bit sore at the moment,” Sheedy said. “It doesn’t look good. I’ve never done one before.”
That setback couldn’t dampen the joy stemming from a successful weekend for Sheedy and his team.
The veteran played a significant part with 103 not out in the Gulls’ two-day win over Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows on Saturday. They backed up with 70 in a Twenty20 defeat of arch-rivals Werribee on Sunday.
“To get 100 on Saturday and 70 today and win both games, I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
“I’m just rapt we’re back winning again. That’s three on the trot now.”
On Saturday, the Seagulls (2-222) lost no sweat in their chase for Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows’ small total of 157 at the Williamstown Cricket Ground.
They reached the target one down as Sheedy combined with teenager Luke Rainone (100) to pass the score.
Rainone, just 16, was a surprise packet for the home side.
“He’s come up from the juniors; we’ve given him a go and he was very impressive,” Sheedy said. “He attacked the bowling, played his shots and defended when he had to defend. It was a huge effort.”
On Sunday, it was the meeting of two of the west’s biggest rivals in a Twenty20 for points.
The Seagulls got the bragging rights, eclipsing Werribee with three balls to spare in a tight derby.
The Tigers (5-131) were slow off the mark, but still managed to set a competitive score in their 20 overs.
The key period was at the start of the Tigers’ innings when Seagulls opening bowlers Mathew Inness and Murray Ring got on top with economical overs.
“The first four overs, they bowled beautifully to give us a flying start,” Sheedy said.
Conversely, the Seagulls’ run chase started in a blaze of glory, with Sheedy and Nathan Hall (36) racing the score to 50 in four overs.
They planned their chase perfectly to win by seven wickets.
