Metropolitan West’s luck ran out in the semi- finals of Cricket Victoria’s under-18 male state championships last week.
Despite winning two of its four pool matches, a new structure for the championships meant the team also known as Western Spirit went through to the semi-finals while other teams with better winning records missed out.
Spirit made 138 in its semi-final against South East Country before rain halted play with SEC at 1-15.
The match ended up washed out, with SEC progressing to the grand final at the MCG on February 5 due to having better pool match results. Jordan Kight top-scored for the Spirit with 46.
Spirit coach Ash Armstrong admitted they were lucky to get through to the finals.
“It was disappointing the way it finished with the semi washed out,” he said.
“The way it was set up you could win four games and miss out on finals or you could win fewer games and make it through. It depended on which pool you were in, and we were lucky to win a couple of close games to get in.”
Armstrong said his side’s fighting spirit also ensured it would make it through to the final four for a second straight season.
“We knew going into the final pool game we either had to win or have a close loss.
“We were up against it playing Metropolitan North West, who are a good side, but we kept fighting even after they passed our score and it was one of the reasons we played on Friday.”
Armstrong said the team probably didn’t perform as well as it would have liked. At times, the side hadn’t clicked.
“In saying that, everyone stood up at different times,” he added.
“We had a pretty steady team. We had a couple of 40s, but no one made 50; a couple of bowlers took a few wickets, but no one took a bag. So I was pleased with how everyone contributed in some way. The main thing was that they learnt a lot about themselves and their game.”
Former Melton player Kight was the best of the batsman, averaging 34 with the bat, while Jack Budd and Ben Roosenboom took eight wickets each.
Armstrong said five to six players were in the bottom-age category and eligible to be selected to play in the side again next season.
The under-18 boys team was one of three Spirit sides in action last week. Under-14 and under-16 girls also played in state championships.
The under-16 team finished at the bottom of its pool, after not winning a match. The under-14s won one match to top their pool.
