VSDCA: Spotswood move to the top of the ladder

Spotswood’s batters were tipped to be keys to success but it’s bowling group is firing with a former Premier cricketer only adding to the depth after he debuted on Saturday.

The balance of Spotwood’s line-up is almost perfect.

In just its second season in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association, the club sit on top of the East-West group ladder with just one game to play before the Christmas break.

Much of the talk before the season surrounded the club’s batting depth after three impressive signings — Antony Keely, Jarrod Martignago and Taylor Tatterson — but it’s the bowlers who are flying under the radar.

Spotswood’s 65 wickets for the season is the most of any club in the division.

On Saturday, it tore through Box Hill’s batting order to have the hosts all out for 85 before going onto win by nine wickets in arguably Spotswood’s most powerful display of the season.

Coach Dan Schuppan led the way with three wickets while former Essendon Premier Cricket bowler Sam Hope finished his debut with two.

Jarrod Martignago top scored for Spotswood. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“There had been a lot of talk about our batters, even from the club’s point of view we have probably been a little guilty of that,” Schuppan said.

“Before round 1 I got the bowlers together and said there was nothing wrong with the group we had put together, I think it stacks up pretty well against other teams in the competition.

“Sam has been at the club a couple of weeks and he’s fitted in beautifully. We didn’t have Charlie Barnes on Saturday and he took a five-for the week before so we’re in a really good spot at the moment.

“I’m happy with our batting and bowling at the moment, it’s fantastic to see a great balance.”

Martignago finished not out on 49 runs from 37 deliveries to lead Spotswood to victory inside 16 overs.

They’ve dropped just one game so far this season but found themselves in a similar position last campaign when they sat second at Christmas.

Now Schuppan and his players are desperate to avoid another fade out in the second half of the season.

“We’re aware of what’s ahead and now it’s about learning from mistakes,” he said.

“The key is to keep winning in the key moments of the one-day games because if you’re on the wrong end of those, it can be the difference between winning and losing.

“We’ve been in good form but we’ve got another tough challenge against Box Hill this weekend to close out the year.”