Altona’s finals hopes remain in its own hands ahead of a big finish to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west season.
Two successive wins have Altona in the top six with three rounds to go and in touching distance of top spot.
But with only three points between it and seventh, A’s coach Liam Keating knows how important every match is.
“It was a really important win [on Saturday],” he said. “We’ve won two in a row now which is great.
“There’s teams around us that we play in the next couple of weeks.”
Keating said playing in the heat as they did on Saturday, the match against Bayswater could have gone either way.
The A’s won the toss and sent in Bayswater.
It was bowled out for 170 with three balls remaining.
Keating said they were happy with how they were able to peg it back.
“They had a good start,” he said. “We pegged them right back in the middle orders.
“Adam Yates and his experience was really good. He has the most wickets in the competition and the key despite not getting many wickets.
“Kenodh [Gamanayake] in his first game bowled really well and took 2-31. He bowled his nine overs in a row.
“Daniel Mackenzie took 3-30 as well. It was hard work for the quick bowlers in that weather.”
The A’s then timed their run chase to perfection, hitting the winning runs with an over to spare.
The A’s finished 6-174 with Ben Davies top scoring with 55.
“We scored fairly slow early on,” Keating said. “They have some good bowlers.
“Ben and Adam in the middle overs set it up. James Grubb and Matt [Turcinovich] then got us across the line.
Ädam is such an experienced player and didn’t have the best game batting wise but was able to handle the situation and not go out.”
Keating said he thought Yates was bowling the best he had in his career and should be in line for team of the year honours.
“He’s done it at three clubs and is a legend at our club.
It’s a return of red ball cricket in the next round, with the A’s facing Melton over the next two Saturdays.
Keating said it would be a good challenge.
“They beat us in the T20 and have been a competitive team,” he said.
“We’re not taking them lightly and it will be a tough game we have to be up for.”
Meanwhile, Spotswood got another win on the board and Yarraville made it two in a row.
Spotswood made 208 against Balwyn before bowling it out for 170.
Seamus Lynch continued his good form with 80 for the Woodsmen.
Yarraville was able to account for Donvale, winning in the final over.
Donvale made 190 before the Eagles finished 5-194 with two balls remaining.
Elsewhere, Williamstown lost to Endeavour Hills.
