Tara Murray
A real team performance guided Spotswood to its first ever Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west finals win.
For the minor premiers, playing finals in this competition was a new experience. If there were any nerves, Woodsmen didn’t show it in a comprehensive win against Endeavour Hills.
The Woodsmen won the toss and decided to bat on their home deck on Saturday.
There were plenty of contributions as the Woodsmen made 262, bowled out in the second last over.
Woodsmen coach Dan Schuppan said they were happy to defend that total.
“It was really good,” he said. “Jakson Knight had been out of form a little bit and it was great for him to lead by example.
“Declan O’Brien continued on from the way he batted last week. With runs on the board it was always good and we back our bowling attack.
“We were really happy with 262. They had to bat well to chase that down.”
Knight top scored for the Woodsmen with 70, while O’Brien finished with 52.
The Woodsmen bowlers did as they have all season and were able to make it hard to score for Endeavour Hills.
Endeavour Hills managed to get to 30 without losing a wicket before it all started to go wrong.
They would lose 10-54 to be all out for 84.
Schuppan took three wickets, while three other players took two wickets each.
Schuppan said the group really bowled as a unit.
“They got off to a steady start,” he said. “Sam Hope bowled fantastically and got a wicket in his first over.
“Jackson Wadden came back on after an ordinary first spell and bowled well afterwards.”
Schuppan said the confidence in the group continued to grow as they and they learnt from their mistakes they made 12 months ago.
The Woodsmen now face local rival Williamstown for a spot in the grand final.
Williamstown lost to Mt Waverley. As the highest ranked loser, the Seagulls get another chance.
Schuppan said they were expecting a really good challenge against the Seagulls.
“Two west teams,” he said.
“They’ve had the better of us the last couple of years and will almost go in as favourites.
“We have to play really well as we have been poor with the bat the last two years.
“Hopefully we’ll learn from our mistakes and bat really well as a unit.”
Werribee will face Mt Waverley in the other semi final.
