By Lance Jenkinson
A collective self-belief is oozing out of Williamstown in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The ladder leading Seagulls had no right to come away with the points over Hoppers Crossing after a dismal showing with the bat, but they refused to wave the white flag.
With a mere 127 runs to defend, the Seagulls had two options, roll over and take their first defeat or fight like crazy in the second half of the day.
With their flawless record on the line, Williamstown chose the latter and came away with a memorable 33-run win at Hogans Road Reserve.
“We showed our character,” Seagulls captain Brent McMinn said.
“After we finished batting, I just said 127 is going to have to be enough.
“We made it enough in the end.
“We were very positive about the whole thing.
“That’s what good teams do, they find a way to win.”
Williamstown’s innings just never got going.
The Seagulls were undisciplined and paid the price. Dale McDonald was the only shining light with 34.
PHOTO GALLERY: Williamstown vs Hoppers Crossing
“There were no real demons in the wicket,” McMinn said.
“It was just poor batting.
“Our middle order crumbled really.
“We played some pretty poor shots.”
Instead of dwelling on their rare batting slump, Williamstown took the challenge of defending a small total head-on.
The Seagulls bowling attack, led by medium pacer Mitch Ferrie, were spot on.
Ferrie’s five overs were devastating, taking 4-10.
Left arm spinner Patrick O’Malley finished with 4-15, but Ferrie was the man on this day.
“We were driven by Mitch,” McMinn said.
“He was the main bowler who got the job done for us.
“The rest of us just supported him and tried to bowl tight.”
Williamstown will square off with Noble Park in a one-day game at the Williamstown Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Altona marched to its fifth straight win, accounting for Mount Waverley by 52 runs at Mount Waverley Reserve.
After electing to bat, the second-placed A’s posted a strong total of 7-198 after fifties to skipper Adam Yates (56) and James Grubb (52) not out). Mount Waverley was bowled out for 146 with Grubb and Daniel Mackenzie snaring three wickets each.
Yarraville moved up to fourth on the ladder with a two-wicket win over Balwyn. Set 118 for victory, the Eagles did it the hard way, but 47 from Josh Hahnel ensured they got home.
