Druids Cricket Club made an unlikely swoop on a top-two finish on the final day of the VTCA north west division season.
The boys from West Footscray had a nail-biting eight-run win over West Coburg at Shorten Reserve on Saturday to firstly book their place in the finals, then, when word came through that second-placed Airport West-St Christophers had been upset by Haig Fawkner, seal a home semi final.
Druids will square off with the West Saints for a spot in the grand final.
“We played Airport West earlier in the year and they beat us pretty easily in the end on their home wicket,” Druids captain-coach Shane Windridge told Star Weekly. “So playing on our home ground is an advantage to us.
“We know how to play that wicket and our ground is a bit different to others. It was very important to get that home ground advantage.”
It was a touch and go Saturday for the Druids.
They had no inkling of what was transpiring at other venues and only had a tunnel vision for a victory over West Coburg.
At one stage, Wests, who went into the weekend in fourth and needing to pick up points to stave off the fifth and sixth placed sides, had the upper hand.
“It was a see-sawing sort of day,” Windridge said. “They were probably on top early and looking comfortable, but we just kept finding a way to get a wicket to keep ourselves in the game.”
If young gun Andrew Brennan was man of the match for setting up the game for Druids with 85 not out on day one, Jared Andrews was not far behind on day two with a tireless performance with the ball.
Andrews churned out 20 overs into the wind for a return of 4-36.
The former captain-coach has a pep in his step after a short break from cricket with an overseas holiday in the middle of the summer.
“In cricket, players go through ups and downs throughout the season, so a lot of guys are pretty mentally tired towards the end of the year,” Windridge said.
“He had a little break in the middle of the season, so he’s up and about and definitely our freshest player. I think the holiday is actually going to work in his favour.”
If not for Brennan, the Druids would be faced with an away semi final.
Brennan opened the innings and held his bat for 72 overs as Druids posted 178.
Wests came up just short to be all out for 170.
“It was very hard work early, but he got in and was able to keep an end up for us,” Windridge said. “He batted right through the whole innings and was definitely the difference in the game.
“He’s a young kid who is just starting to hit his straps now and I think that will be the making of him.”
VTCA semi finals
Senior division
South Caulfield v Yarraville Club
Doutta Stars v Greenvale Kangaroos
North West division
Keilor v West Coburg
Druids v Airport West-St Christophers
West A1
Altona Roosters v Williamstown CYMS
Footscray United v Werribee Centrals
West B1
Deer Park v West Newport
Footscray ANA v Sunshine YCW
