By Molly Magennis
Footscray United and Williamstown both experienced tough weekends on the cricket field.
Footscray United suffered its first loss of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 season, losing to Sunbury.
United restricted Sunbury to 7-114, but failed with the bat, being bowled out for just 56.
Ashen Abeykoon managed 26 at the tail end of the innings but it wasn’t nearly enough for United.
Coach Shafraz Mohamed said it was definitely an off day for the boys and that the slow cricket pitch didn’t help.
“[Sunbury’s] bowling style suits them really well against our batsman,” he said.
“They worked it out, they knew our batsman really well and our weaknesses and strengths and the deck wasn’t as expected. The deck was on the slower side which is not an excuse, because we were chasing 110 and should’ve got it any day of the week at home.”
However, Mohamed was happy with the team’s bowling efforts overall. Mohamed himself took four wickets to keep Sunbury from straying too far.
“We bowled very well. Our fast bowler is probably one of the quickest in the league but when it’s a slower deck, the quicker you bowl the easier it is so it wasn’t suited for him.”
Footscray is set to take on Werribee on Saturday and Laverton on Sunday, with Mohamed encouraging the team to move on despite the loss.
“[After the game] I said we’ve got a way better team this year, and don’t worry about it, let’s not talk about the game, let’s grab and drink and move on and get back to training and do what we do best and start winning again.”
Williamstown also struggled on the weekend in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west, defeated by Taylors Lakes and Malvern.
On Saturday, Williamstown made 6-165 from 45 overs in its clash against Taylors Lakes. The Lions made the runs with ease, finishing 3-169 with more than eight overs remaining.
Williamstown’s Matthew Dervan was able notch up a team high 49, but it wasn’t nearly enough to take home the win.
Coach Sean Sturrock said the new pitch at their home ground was a contributing factor to the loss.
“It’s a brand new wicket and stuff like that so we’re still learning as [with] any opposition that comes to Williamstown…. how to sort of play it to the best of our abilities,” he said.
“I thought we were probably a little under par with our score….probably left a little bit out there and probably didn’t really take enough runs in the middle which has been a bit of an issue of ours the last couple of seasons.”
On Sunday, the Seagulls had a better performance making 6-227 against Malvern. But it still wasn’t enough, with Malvern winning with seven balls remaining, finishing 7-230.
Williamstown will take on Brighton at home on Saturday.
