By Ewen McRae
Seddon backed up its forceful effort with the bat last week, comfortably defending its total to knock over St Albans.
After posting 8-348 on day one on the back of 187 from opener Damith Priyadarshana, Seddon’s bowlers were able to take regular breakthroughs as they dismissed the visitors for 242 after 67 overs.
It was its second Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division win for the season, and lifts it to third on the table after three games.
St Albans started the day strongly, with Brenton Cook (24) and Simon Lambert (14) laying a strong platform with a 35-run opening stand.
Chris Sole (2-40) got the breakthrough when he enticed an edge from Cook, and Damith Priyadarshana (1-51) was able to do likewise to Lambert as both openers fell in quick succession.
Alwis and Pawandeep Singh (7) were slowly building a partnership when Kendrick Hatton was introduced to the attack, and the wheels started to come off the St Albans innings from there.
Hatton trapped Singh in front, before bowling Billy Whitford and Shanaka Silva for ducks to have the visitors reeling at 5-65.
St Albans had its best patch of the afternoon when Buddika Hasaranga – who was batting down the order due to an ankle injury – teamed with Alwis to post a 77-run stand and give the innings some respectability.
Photo Gallery: Seddon vs St Albans
Hatton grabbed his fourth when he dismissed Hasaranga for 32, and the innings fell away from there as the next three batsmen made just 10 runs between them.
Number 11 Maksym Sosnowski stuck around with Alwis long enough to get him to triple figures, before opening up the shoulders to finish with a quick-fire 30 not out.
Alwis was the final man dismissed, giving Hatton 5-61 for the day.
Elsewhere, Spotswood has continued on its winning ways, easily chasing down Sunshine United to remain the only unbeaten side in the division.
Resuming on 2-70 in pursuit of United’s 136, it was a tough ask for the home bowlers, and while Roshan Anuruddha snared Ross Horkings for 49, the visitors were able to chip away at the total.
Mac Short got his second consecutive 50 to anchor the chase, and his partnership with Gene Maurice (25 not out) delivered Spotswood safely to the six points.
Short was eventually out for 55, with Spotswood closing the day on 5-174.
Finally, Yarraville Club broke through for its first win of the season with a comprehensive win over Keilor on Saturday, highlighted by a seven wicket haul to Chathura Darshana.
The Clubbers were always in the box seat after making 5-364 last week, but their bowlers were diligent in ensuring the strong platform wasn’t wasted.
While Keilor had a 74-run opening stand, Emmett Bronca and Darshana dismissed both openers in quick succession, and the Keilor batting order struggled to build momentum from there.
The hosts were eventually rolled for 227 off 58 overs, with Darshana the standout bowler with 7-64.
MORE VTCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/short-sharp-and-painful-spell-gets-win-for-caroline-springs/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/alwis-stands-his-ground/
