VSDCA 2020-21: Altona coach James Grubb ‘stoked’ to beat Werribee

After back-to-back losses to start the VSDCA season, coach James Grubb steered Altona to a significant win in Round 3.

Daniel MacKenzie bends his back for Altona on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Heavy rainfall and a talented rival which had proven a bogey side in recent seasons failed to stop Altona on Saturday.

After back-to-back losses to start the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association campaign, the A’s scored a crucial win over Werribee after wet weather forced the clash to be called off with seven overs remaining.

Altona finished on the right side of the Duckworth-Lewis system, prevailing after reaching 4-163 from 33 overs in response to the visitors’ 6-180.

A’s coach James Grubb said he was “stoked” to take the points after a testing start to 2020-21.

“Obviously Werribee are a class team and we’ve only beaten them once in nine seasons I think,” Grubb said.

“To beat them is definitely a pretty good achievement and I think we’ll take a lot of confidence from it after a pretty tough start.

“Hopefully it just gets the ball rolling a bit.”

Captain Adam Yates returned 2-37 for Altona. Picture: Hamish Blair

Grubb stood tall under pressure after arriving at the crease with his team 2-33, finishing unbeaten on 58 from 76 deliveries at J.K Grant Reserve.

He was ably supported by skipper Adam Yates (48 from 71) and Daniel MacKenzie (25 not out from 23).

“Always happy to be there at the end,” Grubb said.

“I think that was the main goal – to not leave it up to anyone else. I really wanted to be there and see it home.”

Earlier, Werribee appeared set to post a formidable target after reaching 1-98 on the back of impressive knocks from run machines Shaun Dean (81) and Matt Dean (40).

Shaun Dean is in red-hot form for Werribee. Picture: Hamish Blair

But the A’s maintained the pressure and were rewarded, with Shannon Clarke (2-27), Yates (2-37) and Grubb (2-41) doing the damage.

“It was blowing a gale, so it was really hard to score down one end and Clarkey bowled really well down that end,” Grubb said.

“We just restricted them really well and were really good in the field.”

Altona started the North-West group season with losses to Yarraville and pacesetter Kew.

It will face Hoppers Crossing and Brunswick before the Christmas break.

“If we can get a few wins, it will put us in a good spot to make a (finals) push post-Christmas,” Grubb said, pointing to his club’s tough draw.

“With the format, anyone can beat anyone on their day.

“I don’t think anyone’s going to beat Kew.

“It only takes one guy to get going, so it’s going to be a very interesting season.

“But I think everyone’s going to learn a lot from playing one-day cricket all season.”

Altona sits in 12th position but is just one win outside the top six.