Tara Murray
A week can make a huge difference in cricket, just ask Williamstown in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west.
After an embarrassing performance against Kew, the Seagulls showed why they are still one of the most dangerous teams on Saturday against Plenty Valley.
After losing the toss, the Seagulls had the ball in hand first and were able to make the most of it, bowling the Bats out for 98.
With plenty of time to spend at the crease, the Seagulls took their time to get going with the bat.
They were able to secure first innings points, eventually finishing the day at 2-165.
Seagulls secretary Jordan Doyle said they needed a performance like that after their return to the field after the Christmas break.
“It was a really good day notching up a win on day one,” he said. “After the last two weeks it was nice.
“The Coburg game was a funny game and Duckworth-Lewis decided that one. Against Kew, being bowled out for 60 was a bit embarrassing.
“That’s not how the club goes about things and we don’t stand for that, it’s good to bounce back.”
Fraser Hay for the Seagulls going on Saturday, with the Bats in trouble at 3-1.
He would finish with 4-19 as well as taking a catch. Skipper Sean Sturrock also took four wickets.
Doyle said once they got out there with the bat it was about getting off to a good start to make sure they didn’t have a repeat of last week.
“We couldn’t get too ahead of ourselves,” he said. “We were 2-70 off and Jack Craig come in and he hits the ball really well.
“They started bowling a few short balls and he really likes that.”
Craig will resume at 68 off 48 balls, while Matthew Dervan is 30 not out.
Doyle said the first aim was to get as many runs as possible on day two. An outright win will also be in their thoughts.
“We are two games back so those extra four points would be nice. There’s still a lot of cricket to go then.”
The Seagulls find themselves in 12th spot after 10 games. The closeness of the competition means they are 16 points off sixth so they are still in the finals mix.
Doyle said it hasn’t been the season they were after.
“It’s been a really frustrating year,” he said. “We’ve only had our best side in two of 11 games.
“Some of it has been our own doing as there’s been moments in games we’ve lost our way.
“There is no margin for error now. We need to win five games from five.
In other matches, Altona needs 242 against St Bernard’s, while Spotswood made 4-346 against Yarraville.
