The scrap for sub-district finals spots is well and truly on, with Yarraville right in the middle.
Having knocked off top-two side Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows in their last match, the Eagles looked set to create another upset against top team Melton after day one of their most recent match.
The Eagles needed only 24 runs on day two, Saturday, for the win, which captain-coach Matthew Love said was a “nervous 24 runs”.
He praised his bowlers for setting up the victory.
After passing the 101 needed for first innings points, the Eagles were bowled out for 138.
The Lions finished their second innings at 4-88.
“We had planned to bowl well in partnerships, which we did,” Love said. “Even though Harry Finch got six wickets, it was the partnerships from both ends which kept the pressure on.
“We made sure we were cutting off singles and not letting them get easy runs.”
Love said the biggest factor in the club becoming a contender was improved batting performances.
“We’re having a good year with the bat, having scored the most runs in the competition. It’s been a bit of a weakness in the past. Now we’re strong across the board, especially our top six.”
The Eagles sit in fifth position, only one first innings win behind Plenty Valley and the Lions, who are second and third.
“I brought up with the boys during the week that the good sides in all sports make sure they keep the intensity up in the lead-up to finals,” Love said.
“In the past, when we haven’t been in the position to make finals, the intensity has dropped off at this time of year. We need to make sure the intensity is going upwards.”
Williamstown kept its finals hopes alive with a win over Preston. After making 8-295 batting first, Williamstown restricted Preston to 202.
Mitchell Knight and Jarrod Flood-Bruce took three wickets each.
Williamstown is seventh on the ladder, six points outside the top six. Altona also had a good win, defeating Kew by 157 runs.
Altona skittled Kew for 94, well short of its own total of 251 made on day one.
Jake Cullen and Shane Jones took three wickets each for Altona.
