A hiccup for Spotswood in the last round of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season has proven costly.
The Woodsmen tumbled from first to third after going down in an upset to Airport West- St Christophers by 35 runs on their home deck at Donald McLean Reserve on Saturday.
Chasing 184 to seal the minor premiership, Spotswood got the jitters to be all out for just 148.
That left the side down in third place and facing a daunting trip to Yarraville Club in the semi-finals, while Greenvale Kangaroos grabbed top spot.
Yarraville Club moved gleefully back into the top two with a 242-run first-innings win over Strathmore at Syd McGain Oval.
It was not all plain sailing for the Clubbers, who bowled the Mores out for just 42 in the first innings after scoring 7-284 themselves. But they spent the second day chasing leather when conceding 6-305, including 191 to Dean Peter-Budge.
In north-west division, Druids and Seddon will face off in a derby semi-final at Shorten Reserve.
Seddon will take winning form into the finals after dismantling Altona North by 180 runs.
John Taylor set the wheels in motion for Seddon with 116 not out before Hayden Dryiski’s four wickets put a halt to Altona North’s victory ambitions.
Druids clipped a hurdle in the final round, going down to Aberfeldie by 65 runs in the top-of-the-table clash.
At the opposite end of the ladder, Footscray United collected the wooden spoon, but at least it bade farewell to the division on a winning note, downing Keilor Park on first innings by 45 runs.
Laverton finished second last on the ladder, completing the season with a first-innings loss to West Coburg.
In north-west A1, Altona Roosters somehow lost outright to Werribee Centrals at Galvin Park.
Leading by 56 runs on first innings, the Roosters had the home side in all sorts of trouble at 5-6, but the Centurions produced a stunning turnaround to make 263 in the second innings, amassing a lead of 207 runs.
The Roosters second innings didn’t go to plan – they were bowled out for 161.
Williamstown CYMS and St Andrews Footscray will be dropping down a division after finishing last and second last respectively.
In north-west B1, West Newport is preparing for a premiership tilt after qualifying for the finals in third.
The Lions will take some confidence into their semi-final against East Keilor after beating that very team in the last round on Saturday.
In west A1, Williamstown Colts succumbed to Seabrook in the battle for fourth, losing by three wickets.
That means Williamstown Imperials are the only Hobsons Bay team through to the finals in that division. The Imperials face a tough trip to Melton Centrals in the semi-finals.
