Tara Murray
Altona made a winning return to Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west finals, knocking off minor premiers St Bernard’s OC on the weekend.
The last team to qualify for finals, the A’s showed they weren’t making up the numbers with a strong all round performance.
Coach Aaron Whear said the group was thrilled to keep their season alive.
“There’s some very happy boys,” he said. “St Bernard’s are a good side and we think we are as well.
“There were two games between first and sixth and we gave ourselves a really good chance.”
The A’s lost the toss and were sent out to field in the hot conditions on Saturday afternoon.
They turned it into a positive and bowled St Bernard’s out for 142 in the 50th over.
Whear said to lose the toss and then not see St Bernard’s bat out the day was really positive.
Tom McConville took 4-32, while Adam Yates took 3-38 off his 17 overs.
Whear said the duo were the standout bowlers.
With plenty of time left in the day, the A’s then had to try and get through the rest of the day to set the game up heading into day two.
“We lost a couple of wickets, but we were able to knock off about 60 runs, which was helpful,” Whear said.
“St Bernard’s bowled particularly well, but we were able to put out a mature batting performance.”
The slipped to 5-86 and there were a few nerves, but the group was able to steady and make the runs with ease, finishing 5-145 in the 71st over.
Skipper Ben Davies was the standout, finishing 52 not out, while Matthew Turcinovich contributed 24 not out in the match winning partnership.
Whear was full of praise for Davies, who returned to his junior club this season.
“We were able to bat around him,” he said. “We had high expectations for him and he’s met them, even exceeded them.”
The A’s now travel to Kew this weekend for a two-dayer with a spot in the grand final on the line.
St Bernard’s as the highest losing team get a second chance. It will face Spotswood in the other semi final.
Whear said they will just continue to do what they’ve been doing against a good side
“We believe we are a good side and earned our position,” he said. “We’ll turn up and hopefully play our best cricket.
“We’re more than capable of winning the game.”
