Altona fell agonisingly short of making the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west grand final.
After an upset win in week one of the finals, the A’s were keen to have a repeat against Kew in the semi finals on the weekend.
The A’s won the toss and decided to send Kew in.
The decision seemed to be the right one, with Kew in trouble at 4-57. A middle order partnership got Kew back into the game.
At 5-140 the side had the opportunity to launch a big innings, but the A’s bowlers got back on top.
The wickets then started to frequently fall, with Kew bowled out for 197 in the 65th over.
David Wildsmith top scored with 65 for Kew with lots of contributions throughout the order.
Adam Yates and Ben Davies took three wickets each for the A’s while Tom McConville and James Grubb took two wickets each.
The A’s then had to face a tricky period before stumps. Matthew Grubb lost his wicket in a less than ideal scenario for the A’s.
They finished the day at 1-16.
It was a disaster of a start for the A’s on day two, losing three quick wickets, including the experienced pair of Adam Yates and Ben Davies, to slip 4-31.
The A’s middle order fought through the tough period and get them back into the game.
The margin kept decreasing but the wickets kept falling. When Charlie Ward was out for three, the A’s still needed 11 for the win with one wicket in hand.
It wasn’t to be for the A’s with Matthew Turcinovich’s innings coming to an end and with it Altona’s for 193.
Mitchell Grubb top scored with 45, while Turcinovich and James Grubb had crucial contributions in the fight back.
Kew will face Spotswood in the grand final.’
