VSDCA: Fraser Hay, Jack Craig in strong form for Williamstown

Williamstown is looming as a finals contender with several players key to the club’s impressive start to the Subbies season.

VSDCA cricket 2022-23: Box Hill v Williamstown at Box Hill City Oval. Fraser Hay bowling for Williamstown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Life is pretty good at Williamstown right now.

After back-to-back Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association wins, Sean Sturrock’s side sit inside the East/West group’s top six and is already on track to better last season’s five victories.

And their strong start to the season has been heavily influenced by their big name recruits.

Fraser Hay has taken a wicket in every game while Jack Craig now has back-to-back half-centuries after his 58-run performance against Yarraville on Saturday.

Craig’s 74-ball stay out in the middle helped guide the home side to 6-181 from its 45 overs before Yarraville was all out for 108.

It was Sturrock who led the way with 4-19 sparking a major collapse for the visitors who lost their last six wickets for just 12 runs.

Fraser Hay has made a strong impact since returning to Williamstown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Both Fraser and Jack have fitted in seamlessly with the group,” Sturrock said.

“Jack’s batting has been quite impressive the last couple of games, he knows when to flick the switch and look to score quickly. He probably left a few out there on Saturday but he’ll go away and work on that. His ability to play nice and straight then mix it up with some deft touches was pleasing to watch.

“Fraser coming back from Footscray has been huge for us. He’s out strike bowler, who has great ball speed. We’re only using him in single spells at the moment and it’s helping us keep opposition teams to lower scores.

“It’s good because it means we’re saving him for the two-day games later in the season where we’ll need him for longer spells.”

While Sturrock’s four-wicket haul, all of which came in the space of four Yarraville runs, may have been the match winner after the drinks break, he preferred to talk about the efforts of his teammates.

Off-spinner Chris Duffin and Daniel Popa, who took a wicket apiece, played a huge role in the outcome of the game according to Sturrock.

“I was in the right place at the right time, it was about bowling in partnerships,” he said.

“I know I can throw Chris the ball at any time and he’s very unlikely to go for more than 20 runs. Daniel did an outstanding job of keeping the pressure on Yarraville’s batsmen.”

Daniel Popa won praise from his coach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Through Williamstown’s opening four games, Craig has been his side’s leading scorer with 239 runs at an average of 75.5 with Matthew Dervan next best on 223 in three outings.

Meanwhile, Sturrock is the leading wicket taker with 12 scalps.

“Saturday was one we needed to win, especially with the washouts and draws we’ve had so far,” Sturrock said.

“Our games against Yarraville are always close so it was pleasing to come out on top.”

Williamstown now faces a huge test of its finals credentials against Werribee who will aim to bounce back from its second defeat of the season.