Tara Murray
It was spin to win for Altona in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west on Saturday.
Finally on the pitch after the first five days pf the season were washed out, the A’s were at home against Mt Waverley.
New A’s coach Aaron Whear said they were just happy to get out there after the start to the season.
“All the boys were really happy,” he said. “It was a really good result for the club and the first and seconds played next to each other and both got wins.
“It was a good start to the season.”
The A’s were looking down a big chase after sending Mt Waverley after it started well.
Whear said the game changed when they introduced their two leg spinners.
“They were 0-43,” he said. “To lose 10-44 was just amazing.
“Our two leg spinners had outstanding days. Adam Yates finished with 5-12 off his nine overs, while Archie Scott, one of our English imports, took 2-13 off his overs to really change the game.”
Yates, who has been coach-captain and captain at times in the last few seasons, is just focusing on playing this season.
While they were on top at the halfway mark of the match, Whear said they weren’t counting their chickens until the job was done.
“The challenge with low totals is that you don’t want to lose wickets in a cluster,” he said.
“We got three good partnerships of 30, 27 and 23 and didn’t lose wickets in clusters.
“There is some experience in the first XI, but we have a lot of youth. It helps with confidence.”
The A’s finished 3-89 making the runs in the 28th over.
Connor Brown top scored with 23 at the top of the order.
Whear said the side they are fielding this season isn’t dramatically different from last season. The addition of Scott and fellow Englishman Charlie Ward are the two key additions.”
Whear, who took on the coaching role in the off-season said apart from the weather, everything had been going well.
“It’s been a very long pre-season with the weather, but every club has found it a little challenging.
“The guys have responded really well to what we’ve been doing.”
The A’s this Saturday face Taylors Lakes.
Williamstown also started its season with a big win, easily accounting for Noble Park.
Noble Park was quickly in trouble and struggled to form a partnership.
The Seagulls bowled them out for 82 in the 43rd over.
Sean Sturrock was the star with the ball, taking 5-12 off 8.2 overs.
The Seagulls had little trouble in the run chase, finishing 2-83 in the 17th over.
James Cook made 30 not out.
Spotswood also started its season with a win, beating Donvale.
Spotswood made 8-172 from its overs with captain Jackson Knight top scoring with 53.
Two early wickets had Donvale chasing its tail and it never got going bowled out for 103.
Knight capped off a strong game with 3-16, while Matthew Sazenis also took three wickets.
Yarraville started the season with a loss.
The Eagles made 6-201 in reply to Endeavour Hills, 9-266.
