Tara Murray
It was a tough day for the west teams in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west on Saturday, with Werribee and Williamstown the only teams to come away with points.
With only Spotswood sitting in the top six heading into round nine, the west teams all needed to get wins to try and keep in touch and keep their finals hopes alive.
Werribee was able to get a valuable win and in the process moved into the top six with victory against Taylors Lakes.
The Tigers batted first and were bowled out for 207 in the last over.
Skipper Tim O’Brien top scored with 37 as one of four batters to reach 30.
The Lions shared the wickets around, with four players taking two wickets each.
At 6-66 the Lions were in trouble. Once opener Luke Denny fell for 55, the match was all but over with the rest of the top and middle order having already failed with the bat.
The Lions were bowled out for 142.
Jonathon Burton took four wickets for Werribee.
The win moves Werribee up to sixth, with Taylors Lakes sitting in 12th.
Williamstown had a vital win against Melton.
Melton won the toss and elected to bat.
The young Lions made 8-143. The Seagulls shared the wickets around with four bowlers taking two each.
The Seagulls had no trouble in the run chase, finishing 4-144.
Matthew Dervan top scored with 44.
Williamstown moves up to 10th, while Melton remains winless.
Hoppers Crossing pushed Ormond all the way but couldn’t come away with the points.
Ormond made 6-218 from its 45 overs with Adam Bull making an unbeaten 139.
Jeremy Swan took two wickets for the Cats, but was expensive, going at nearly a run a ball.
After losing 3-8, the Cats middle order set about chasing the total.
When Brett Smith was dismissed for 88 it left too much work for the lower order, with the Cats bowled out for 191.
The Cats sit ninth.
Altona fell well short against Caulfield.
Caulfield got off to a flier and were able to continue the momentum, making 5-253.
Mitchell Cullen and Adam Yates took two wickets each for Altona.
The A’s fell well short, bowled out for 148.
James Grubb top scored with 42.
Altona sits 14th.
Spotswood had a rare loss, losing to Oakleigh.
Oakleigh had a day out with the bat, making 6-253.
Spotswood never looked likely, bowled out for 169.
Riley Vernon top scored with 59 at the top of the order.
Spotswood sits third.
Meanwhile, Yarraville lost to Elsternwick.
Elsternwick made 8-211. Jonah Koch took three wickets for the Eagles.
The match would go down to the wire, with the Eagles falling just short, making 8-206.
Aidan Salvado top scored with 81.
