Tara Murray
Spotswood produced its most complete performance of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west season to win through to a second straight grand final.
The Woodsmen found contributions across the board as they were able to account for minor premiers St Bernard’s O.C and set up a grand final showdown with Kew.
Woodsmen coach Dan Schuppan was thrilled with the performance.
“It’s bloody amazing,” he said. “We are absolutely rapt, we played a complete game of cricket.
“We brought up our highest total for the year and all of the top seven got better than starts, that was awesome.”
Having already had a strong line up, the Woodsmen brought back in Lachie McKenna, who missed last week with a wedding.
Schuppan said someone of McKenna’s experience is always going to help and that everyone walks taller with him in the team.
The Woodsmen piled on a massive 8-362 with the bat after electing to bat on their home deck.
Skipper Jakson Knight top scored with 80, while Taylor Tatterson and Ross Horkings also got half centuries
All of the top seven got at least 30.
Schuppan said a score like that put them in a really good position.
“You are never fully confident but to get a score like that, you need everything to go write to have a chance at it,
“We knew if we bowled really well, it would be hard for them.”
The Snowdogs were able to put a few partnerships together, which Schuppan said is always bound to happen.
He said when the chances were there, they were able to take them.
The Snowdogs were bowled out for 276 in the 78th over. Jevon Kett top scored with 101.
McKenna took three wickets for the Woodsmen as they shared them around.
Schuppan said they just stuck at it with the ball.
“The nature of our wicket, you have to stick at it,” he said. “It’s not a wicket where you are going to rip through teams.
“Stick to your lines and lengths and stick to the plan.”
The Woodsmen now have a chance to defend their premiership. Schuppan said there’s a different feeling heading into this grand final.
“Last year was an amazing feeling,” he said. “We tend to forget that we were minor premiers, it was always about getting their and playing finals.
“We said at the start of the year it will be tough, not many clubs have got back there the next season.
“Werribee has and Caulfield comes to mind in the south in recent times. It means a lot to our club.”
The Woodsmen will face Kew in the grand final. In the only match the teams played this season, it ended in a tie.
