Williamstown has had a first-hand look at what it will take to attain Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association glory.
The young Seagulls left nothing in reserve on day one of their western derby with unbeaten ladder leader Werribee at Chirnside Park on Saturday, yet it may not be enough.
There were times when the Seagulls were on top and never did they sense they were out of the contest.
They toiled hard from ball one, claiming a number of important scalps along the way, removing opener Matt Dean for a duck, dismissing in-form David Wolfe for 31 a week after he made a century, and dismissing Shaun Dean for 16.
But for all the Seagulls’ effort, Werribee still managed to post a hefty 9-238 from 65 overs.
Tim O’Brien (106no) and Michael Freeman (40) took charge to give the Tigers the edge at stumps.
Seagulls captain Craig Sheedy could be proud of his charges’ efforts, but sometimes the opposition has answers for everything you throw at them.
“We did pretty well – hung in there,” he said. “I didn’t feel like we just got smashed all over the park. There’d just be a bad ball here and there and they’d hit a four. They just batted well.”
Make no mistake – it was no easy task going to the Tiger cage and having to bowl in 41-degree heat. The Seagulls did it and with a minimum of fuss.
Young medium-pacers Sam Davis (2-58 off 15.5) and Jarrod Flood-Bauce (2-22 off seven) caught the eye.
Davis, playing in his second first XI game and still eligible for the under-17s, relished the chance to stick it to the older heads, some of whom are twice his age.
The Seagulls have a tough run chase on their hands, but it’s one Sheedy believes is “gettable” on a ground with a fast outfield.
Altona has set Yarraville 217 at the Frank Kirk Oval after star Aaron Maynard made 111. Maynard has compiled 579 at 72.4 this summer.
LANCE JENKINSON
