FOOTSCRAY Edgewater finished off the Premier Cricket season in the best possible fashion, with a huge outright win over Casey-South Melbourne on Saturday. After securing first innings points on day one, the Bulldogs picked up where they left off when play resumed last week.
Wes Robinson batted on to reach 141 while Guy Walker also chipped in with a well-made 46, which included three boundaries.
With the score on 6/277 and the lead at 201 runs, Footscray captain Dean Russ declared the innings, sending Casey back in to bat.
Just like on day one, wickets fell at regular intervals with the Footscray bowlers hitting all the right lines and lengths.
Hamish Winter-Irving capped off a great year to finish with figures of 4/19 while Robinson returned to inflict more pain on Casey, taking three wickets.
Lucas Dredge, Michael Kelly and Walker shared the remaining wickets as Casey was bowled out for 121 in the 47th over and the outright win was complete.
Footscray Edgewater coach Barry Neivandt said the victory was a great way to finish the season and praised Robinson for another outstanding innings.
“You can’t really ask for anything better,” Neivandt said.
“Given the conditions last week when he (Robinson) came in, it was just an outstanding knock.
“Out of everyone who batted for the two days, he was just a class above. His ability to read the pace of the wicket and the variable bounce over the two weeks was fantastic. Where others struggled he was terrific.”
The win sees the Bulldogs finish the Premier Cricket season in 12th spot on the ladder with eight wins, seven losses and one draw.
Despite missing finals, Neivandt said there were encouraging signs for the future for the young and exciting playing group.
“There is some really good talent and hopefully the club has the patience to stick with them and back them to the hilt,” he said.
“Everyone would like to play finals and it is disappointing that we haven’t but the reality is that they are developing and sometimes you do get some inconsistency in the performance.
“They are coming along really well and there has been a great development through the group.”
