Tara Murray
Spotswood was the big winner as rain affected a big weekend of play in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
Just four teams managed to get results from both one-day matches on the weekend, with the Woodsmen claiming two victories to take them to the top of the table.
Woodsmen coach Dan Schuppan said while they’re in a good position so far, they weren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“It was a great weekend for us to get two wins,” he said. “From my memory, last season at about the same stage we had a double header and we lost on the Saturday and then won on the Sunday.
“It was good to get on Saturday and Sunday and come away with the wins. It puts us on top of the ladder, but we were second at Christmas last year and fell away. We’re taking it one week at a time.”
The Woodsmen faced Taylors Lakes on Saturday, followed by Melton the following day.
While both sides struggled last season, Schuppan said both had improved massively and couldn’t be taken easily.
He said with the wet weather around, it was a case of winning ugly and that was exactly what they did.
On Saturday, the Woodsmen made 8-169 from their overs.
Schuppan said they left a few runs out there.
“We were on and off a bit,” he said. “We got off to a great opening partnership and then Taylor Tatterson and Jakson Knight showed their class with a valuable partnership.
“We fell away a little bit after looking at 200. We were wanting 180 minimum and we didn’t get that so we were disappointed to get 170.
Knight top scored with 47.
The Lions started well and at 1-67 were on track in the run chase.
A couple of quick wickets, including the run out of Sri Lankan international Oshada Fernando turned the game back in the favour of the Woodsmen. The Lions were bowled out for 133.
“We were able to get a couple of new guys to the crease,” Schuppan said. “We were able to get quick key wickets which was the difference.”
Despite more rain about on Sunday and many other matches called off, Schuppan said they were always confident of getting the game in against Melton.
The Lions were bowled out for 108, before the Woodsmen finished 6-111.
Schuppan said it was a game that showed how far they had grown since last season.
“I wouldn’t say it was convincing with Melton getting a few quick wickets in our innings,” he said.
“We speak about growth all the time. Mac Short missed a couple of games with an ankle injury. He scored 26 not out, which might not seem much, but it was a real tick for us and we’re heading in the right direction.”
The Woodsmen this week face a star-studded Endeavour Hills side.
Schuppan said they were keen to test themselves against a side which has three former test players.
“I’m nearly 37 and really looking forward to the challenge of being able to play against these guys,” he said.
“Jackson Wadden is 17 and one of the brightest talents in the competition and gets to test himself out against these sorts of players. It’s really exciting.”
