SPOTSWOOD’S era at the top of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association has ended.
The Woodsmen were relegated from the senior division after a disappointing summer.
Rubbing salt into the wound, the green and golds finished the season with the wooden spoon, having taken a heavy 160-run loss to Greenvale at McLean Reserve on Saturday.
The Woodsmen went into the last day of the season optimistic about their survival chances after posting 8-264.
But their bowlers couldn’t get the job done on a batsmen’s paradise with the Vales amassing 6-424.
The Woodsmen head back to the second tier for the first time since 2005-06.
Yarraville Club’s stranglehold on the top flight is as shaky as it has been in five years.
The four-time reigning champion will have to defend its title from fourth spot, which it did in 2010-11 when it won the flag.
It lost outright to Keilor in the last round and missed out on a home final.
Meanwhile, could it be a case of out Spotswood, in Altona North?
North is ranked third in the north division finals and has its sights set on a premiership-promotion double.
The finals campaign begins with a cut-throat semi-final against Tullamarine at Tullamarine Reserve.