Spotswood got an important win to keep a gap on the chasing pack in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
With a logjam of teams fighting for finals spot, the Woodsmen were keen to start the second half of the season with a win against Mt Waverley on Saturday.
Woodsmen coach Paul Baker said getting another win on the board was crucial.
“It was an important game to get the second part of the season up and going,” he said.
“We had two games that we dropped which were out of the blocks and we didn’t perform well enough.
“The rest we’ve had an even spread with the bat and ball. We now have the chance to keep on winning and winning strongly to get a better finals spot instead of chasing.”
Spotswood sent Mt Waverley in on Saturday in the first game after the Christmas break.
Mt Waverley made 9-198 from its 45 overs.
Samuel Hope, Jakson Knight and James Stewart took two wickets each for the Woodsmen.
Baker said a total like that is always tricky to chase down. .
“We lost Blayde [Baker] in the first and then Ross Horkings came out and joined Seamus [Lynch] who was fantastic,” he said.
“They played through the power play and we were 50-55 off the first 15 over period. The ground was really quick and they got the rewards.
“Ross was great and then Jakson and Seamus got together.”
The Woodsmen were able to chase the total down with nearly nine overs remaining, finishing 4-204.
Lynch finished 104 not out, with his first 100 for the club.
Baker said everyone was so excited to see him turn it into a big score.
“He’s a hell of a player and it hadn’t clicked yet,” he said.
“I think he was starting to feel the pressure of being our overseas player. It was a pleasing thing for him to get 100.”
After nine rounds, the Woodsmen sit in third spot on 42 points.
Baker said the group had to just keep on winning to ensure they stayed there.
It was a good weekend for the Woodsmen with their J G Craig Shield getting a win on the board in the opening game against Williamstown.
The side didn’t win a game last season with most of the group returning this year.
In other east-west matches on the weekend, Williamstown made it four in a row, Yarraville suffered a loss, while Altona suffered a costly collapse.
The Seagulls made 8-162 against Donvale which they were able to bowl out for 115.
Yarraville’s 9-158 wasn’t enough against Noble Park which finished 7-159 in the 35th over.
Altona was on track for a big score at 3-226 heading into the final over against Croydon.
Chris Brown’s final over proved to be one for the ages, taking 5-0 to see Altona finish 8-226.
Croydon made the runs with an over to spare, finishing 7-230.
