Spotswood has set up a virtual elimination final with Altona in the final round of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
Saturday’s results saw Spotswood move into the top six, while Altona slipped out and sits in seventh spot.
The A’s are three points behind Spotswood and fifth placed Caulfield.
Spotswood and Altona play each other in the final round. If the Woodsmen were to lose, they would need Caulfield to lose by a much bigger margin to have any hope of playing finals.
Woodsmen coach Dan Schuppan said they had been playing virtually elimination finals for weeks.
“We feel like we have been in that spot for a couple of weeks,” he said. “Now everything is on the line this week.
“I feel like Altona is a dark horse. They snuck into finals last year and were so close to making a grand final.
“We will have to bring our A game on Saturday.”
The Woodsmen gave themselves a chance with a strong all round performance against Hoppers Crossing the past two weeks.
The Woodsmen made 5-326 on day one of the match on the back of 114 from Lachie McKenna and 89 from Jarrod Martignago.
It was McKenna’s third 100 of the season. Schuppan said McKenna has really found his feet at this level after coming back from Victorian Premier Cricket last season.
“He’s had a fantastic year with over 800 runs,” he said. “Each of his 100s have been done in different ways.
“The best players find a way to get runs. He deserves the kudos that he gets.”
Schuppan said while they were confident with more than 300 on the board, there’s always a feeling that it might not be enough.
The Cats were looking good in their run chase early before Simon Lambert was given out LBW. That turned the game and the Woodsmen were able to bowl the Cats out for 236 in the 72nd over.
Schuppan said the game was a good learning curve for some of their younger players in learning to be patient when there’s plenty of runs on the board.
“Eventually something turns for you and you have to capitalise when it comes,” he said. “We were able to get key wickets at certain times.”
Altona let one slip on Saturday in its match with Port Melbourne.
Chasing 157, the A’s were bowled out for 128. Ben Davies top scored with 36.
Port Melbourne finished its second innings at 4-105.
Yarraville got another win on the board as it beat Melton, while Williamstown beat Werribee.
