By Tara Murray
Williamstown CYMS put itself in a good position to achieve its goal of being in the top four at Christmas in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield.
Sitting outside the four heading into the final round before the break, the CYs task looked set to be a difficult one against top side and local rival Williamstown Imperials.
After day one of the clash, it’s the CYs that are top.
The Imperials won the toss and decided to bat. They were bowled out for 162 in the 48th over, with Callum Herron top scoring with 54.
CYs president Bill Millar said they were happy to keep the Imperials to that total.
“It was a good result for us,” he said. “Brad Robertson, our captain-coach, had a day out taking 7-33.
“He had them in trouble all day.”
The CYs managed to reach 3-53 at stumps. Will Metcalfe will resume on 23 not out and Luca Zavattiero on 10 not out.
Millar, who also plays in the first XI, said they would have ideally liked to have been only one wicket down at stumps.
Millar said they were confident they could get the runs this Saturday.
“We’ve been batting really well this season,” he said. “We’ve got 110 to get and we back ourselves in.
“Anything can happen though, but hopefully we get a good win.”
Millar said it had been a mixed season for them with the weather making it really frustrating.
He said if the results got their way, they will be in the top four at the break.
“We feel like we’ve played some pretty good cricket,” he said. “Some washouts have cost us a couple of results.
“Against Grand United we had them on toss before we collapsed in the last bit of the innings.
“Overall we’re playing pretty well, just unlucky. It has been one of those years.
“We have some tough games after Christmas, so it’s a big one this week to get over the line.”
Elsewhere for the CYs, their women’s side has also had a really frustrating season.
In the past five weeks, they’ve played just one game due to weather, a bye and a forfeit on the weekend in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association western region competition.
At the break they sit atop the table undefeated.
Captain Emma Bradwell has been the star of the show.
“In seven straight games she has had to retire,” he said. “She has scored almost 300 runs without being dismissed which is unbelievable.
“She’s always been a handy bat for us, but she has gone to another level this year.”
In other Steve McNamara Shield matches, West Newport is 4-37 in reply to Greenvale Kangaroos’ 207.
In the senior division, Yarraville Club will need 303 for victory after Westmeadows made 9-302.
In the Isaacs Howarth Shield, Footscray United made 7-309 against the Altona Roosters, the Druids were bowled out for 143 against Oak Park St Francis de Sales, and Seedon made 8-192 against Altona North.
