Tara Murray
Spotswood got a much needed win with victory against Melton on Saturday in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west on Saturday.
After uncharacteristically dropping two matches in a row, there were plenty of positive signs for the Woodsmen in their win against the Lions.
Woodsmen coach Dan Schuppan said for them it’s been a good challenge to start the season.
“It’s not panic stations,” he said. “We haven’t started the season how we would have liked to have,” he said.
“We haven’t been that far away and could have had four wins out of four games. The games we’ve lost they’ve had the dominant player, but we haven’t played the cricket we would have liked.”
Schuppan said it’s always a challenge to get momentum going year in, year out and it was something they were trying to work on as they go for a third straight grand final..
With the side back to 2-2, he said they’re hoping it’s the start of some momentum growing for the group.
Schuppan said the message heading into the game with Melton was to make sure that they didn’t take them lightly despite their struggles this season.
He said they got caught out last season against Ivanhoe in a similar situation.
On Saturday, Spotswood won the toss and sent the Lions in.
The bowlers did a good job, bowling the Lions out for 139.
Schuppan was full of praise for Sandeep Mandalika, who took four wickets, and Jackson Wadden, who took three wickets.
“Sandeep had to go back to the seconds for a couple of games,” he said. “He has a great attitude and that is what we love about him.
“He worked on his bowling craft and got another opportunity and took that opportunity.
“Jackson is getting better every game. He had a year out of the game and started a bit slow.
“He got three wickets and I don’t think he bowled a bad ball.”
The Woodsmen were in trouble at 2-8 but steadied and didn’t lose another wicket as they hit the winning runs in 27 overs.
They finished 2-143.
Schuppan said the most pleasing thing is they don’t just rely on one or two batters to get the job done.
“Last week Jakson Knight made a 100 and Declan O’Brien made 90,” he said. “Jackson got a duck this week and Declan didn’t get an opportunity to bat this week.
“Taylor [Tatterson] was really good and Jarrod Martignago, who scored 800 runs last year, shows his class.
“Lachie McKenna missed out but he’s been solid the first few games.”
The Woodsmen now face Williamstown in a two-dayer this weekend.
The Seagulls took their record to 2-2 with a win against Port Melbourne,
Port Melbourne was bowled out for 141, with the Seagulls making 5-143 in reply.
Meanwhile, Yarraville lost to Hoppers Crossing after being bowled out for 97. The Cats finished 5-98 in reply.
Altona had a big win against Ormond.
Ormond was bowled out for 76, with Altona finishing 1-78 in reply.
