A midweek T20 loss was the catalyst for Yarraville Club’s outright victory against Aberfeldie on Saturday in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
The Clubbers were sitting on top of the ladder, but their form since the Christmas break hadn’t been where they wanted it.
Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnstone said they got a bit of reality check against Altona North in the T20 competition.
“We’ve been a bit down since Christmas,” he said. “There was the Keilor result and we just scraped across the line against St Albans.
“Our T20 was underwhelming. It was a mixture with some younger players, but we still had a core six or seven players.
“We didn’t give a yelp. There was a frank assessment and it spurred us to respond.”
The Clubbers resumed at 2-70 on Saturday, chasing Aberfeldie’s 172.
Yarraville Club quickly got the runs and declared t 4-174. Michael Hill top scored with 54.
Johnstone said the focus was to not give them a sniff with the bat in their second innings.
The skipper and Matt Doric got to work and bowled Aberfeldie out for just 62.
Doric took five wickets and Johnstone took four.
While the Clubbers lost a few wickets in the run chase, they got the runs with ease, finishing 3-63.
“It was a complete performance,” said Johnstone. “Angus Copeland, who has done a lot of the unwanted jobs, short leg and nightwatch, got us over the line in that first innings.
“Taking 20 wickets in 160 overs is tough, but we were able to do that.”
The Clubbers now sit four points clear on top of the ladder.
Johnstone knows that they now control their own destiny. Johnstone said he believed their bowling attack would be a big point of difference in the run home.
The Clubbers could be set for some tough decisions in the run home. Chinthaka Jayasinghe is currently playing in the second XI, showing the depth they have.
Johnstone said Jayasinghe was set to compete in a masters tournament representing Sri Lanka and was set to miss a few weeks.
“Hopefully he’ll be back for finals,” he said. “That is why we brought in Thilina Masmulla.
“Having last season’s Paxino Medallist playing in the seconds is a luxury. It keeps other guys on their toes. We haven’t been able to play everyone due to points.”
The Clubbers this round face Airport West St Christophers before finishing the season against Craigieburn.
Johnstone said they would both be good challenges with the Clubbers having never played at Etzel Street Reserve.
Meanwhile in the Isaacs Howarth Shield, Altona Roosters beat the Druids Altona North had a big win against Footscray United.
Both Altona teams remain top of the table.
Seddon meanwhile hung on against Doutta Stars.
In the Steve McNamara Shield, Williamstown Imperials cemented its spot on top while Newport-Digman had a big win against West Newport.
