VSDCA: Showdown clash to decide finals spots in south-west section
Spotswood is surging at the right time as the VSDCA south-west season reaches a magnificent crescendo, while Caulfield, Oakleigh and Brighton are tracking nicely.
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Spotswood jumped into the Victorian Sub-District south-west section top six on the back of a third straight win on Saturday, outclassing fellow finals contender Hoppers Crossing by 70 runs.
After Lachlan McKenna’s century on day one, Spotty coach Dan Schuppan went to work with the ball, taking 4-34 off 16 overs, as the Cats were all out for 236.
Young quickie Jackson Wadden bowled with venom to nab 2-45, while Hoppers Crossing skipper Simon Lambert top-scored with 56 (with 9 fours) to move to 495 runs and Brett Smith made 52.
The result now sets up a cracking final round showdown against seventh-placed Altona, with the loser set to see their season come to an end.
“It feels like it’s been that for a few weeks now, we’ve just had to keep winning,” Schuppan said.
“We’re the first to admit we haven’t played our best cricket this season. But getting to the business end, I’m really big on having a mature group like we do and being very reliable in what everyone can do.”
Altona slipped to seventh on the ladder after going down to Port Melbourne but Schuppan isn’t reading too much into their opponent’s form.
“We’ve got enormous respect for them,” he said.
“They’ve got matchwinners across the board — Charlie Ward, James Grubb, who is back, Ben Davies. There’s a real depth across their squad.”
Brighton’s power-packed bowling attack swept through Malvern to secure a 54-run win. Five Malvern batsmen made ducks as the Roosters — chasing 209 — crashed from 2-61 to 8-86, and eventually were all out for 154. Brighton seamer Glen Parker was the chief destroyer with 4-30 off 14 overs, taking his season tally to 34 wickets, at 8.91. Paceman Will Sist took 2-35 and skipper Peter Cassidy 2-39. Brighton climbed to second spot, while Malvern sits in fourth.
Yarraville picked up its fifth win of the season, beating Melton by three wickets as Alex Wood finished with an unbeaten century. The off-season recruit from Warrandyte hit 117 off 159 including 21 boundaries and a six as the Eagles chased down their target inside 53 overs.
Taylors Lakes was able to keep its mid-table position after securing a convincing win over Moorabbin. The Lions rolled the visitors for 99 on day one before posting 7-140dec as Nilan Fernando top scored with 41. They chased the outright win but Moorabbin held firm to reach 7-143 before play was ended.
Williamstown secured just its fourth win of the season after surging to a 117-run win over Werribee at home. Matt Dervan’s 118 of 223 on day one led the Seagulls to 8-232. In response, the Tigers were rolled for 115 as Sean Sturrock took 4-19 and Mason King claimed 3-10.
Luke Domaschenz took four wickets and a run out to lead Port Melbourne to a rousing 29-run win over Altona, which slipped out of the top six. Domaschenz, after making 73 with the bat last week, grabbed the first two wickets to have Altona reeling at 2-5 as it chased 158 for victory. He then triggered a middle order collapse with another two wickets and a run out as Altona crashed from 3-61 to 8-79. Altona was eventually dismissed for 128. Domaschenz finished with 4-10 off nine overs, while skipper Ryan McDonald bowled beautifully to take 3-24 off 16.4 overs. For Altona, Ben Davies (36) and Mitchell Grubb (25) did best with the bat. Batting again, Port Melbourne was 4-105 in its second innings when players shook hands. Ruairidh Main (26), Dylan Driscoll (23) and Nicholas Benson (33no) were in the runs.
Ormond opener Declan Waddington scored a defiant, unbeaten half-century to deny Caulfield’s quest for outright victory. Waddington made 53 not out off 202 balls and batted for 63 overs in Ormond’s second innings of 4-136 after Caulfield declared overnight with a first innings lead of 55. Waddington shared an unbroken 77-run fifth-wicket partnership with James Bartholomeusz (60no) after Caulfield coach Lachlan Graf (2-21) and star Jacob Thorne (2-46) made early breakthroughs as the Fielders chased maximum points. Caulfield climbed to fifth spot with one round to go.
Oakleigh cemented top spot after producing a clinical batting display to beat Elsternwick at Warrawee Park. Chasing 162 for victory, the Oaks resumed on 0-24 and coasted to 4-168 off 47 overs, with Jack Clark making a season-best 65 (with 9 fours), opener Nathan Harford 43 and skipper Sam Jones an unbeaten 27.
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