Tara Murray
Whether Altona plays finals or not this season, it has been a move in the right direction in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The A’s were the early pace setters in the competition, but now sit in the pack with nine other teams aiming to reach finals.
Coach Aaron Whear said while they would like to play finals this season, it was about more than that.
“When I took over as coach, improvement across the board was my main focus,” he said.
“If you had told me with four rounds to go that we had three sides still in contention [for finals] I would have taken it.
“I don’t want to put a ceiling on what we could do this year, we want to play finals and continue to improve.
“We want to win the remaining games… Our destiny is in our own hands.”
Whear said he had seen that improvement across the group.
Former coach Adam Yates has had an outstanding season, while Shannon Clarke returned to form in the current match.
Of the younger players, Whear said Connor Brown at the top of the order had provided some good contributions, while English import Charlie Ward continued to show what he can do.
After two heartbreaking losses to Yarraville and Werribee in their most recent games, one in the final over and the other with Werribee nine wickets down.
Whear said it was pleasing to show some better form against Bayswater.
The A’s bowled Bayswater out for 138. Shannon Clarke took 5-23 to be the pick of the bowlers for the A’s.
The A’s were resume at 2-37 on Saturday.
But heavy rain on Saturday morning, meant play didn’t go ahead and the match was declared a draw. Each team was awarded three points each.
The A’s sit outside to the top six, but only six points separates second and 10th.
In other matches, Spotswood’s grip on top spot tightened with a win against Croydon.
The Woodsmen had made 7-281 on day one of the match.
They bowled Croydon out for 102 on Saturday.
Matthew Sazenis and Jackson Wadden took three wickets each for the Woodsmen.
Williamstown’s match with Mt Waverley also ended in a draw with no play on Saturday.
Mt Waverley finished day one on 1-20 in reply to the Seagulls 151.
The Seagulls sit equal second, a game behind Spotswood.
Yarraville’s match with Donvale also ended in a draw with no play on day two. The Eagles were chasing 283.
Tara Murray
