By Mark Heenan
WILLIAMSTOWN is into the top four with two rounds remaining in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association South/West Group after toppling top-placed Caulfield by 64 runs at Williamstown Cricket Ground on Saturday.
After the home side scored 6/260 on the first day, Caulfield could only manage 196 as Williamstown held the upper hand in stifling heat.
It was only Caulfield’s second loss for the season, the first in round six at the hands of Moorabbin.
The Williamstown pair of Cain Speakman (3/51) and Rohan Smith (3/32) were the best of the bowlers, while batsman Shaun Richardson (60) top-scored for the visitors.
Joseph Hewett (28) and Chris Fricke (33) chimed in with some valuable runs, but it wasn’t enough in the end as Williamstown celebrated its biggest win of the season and latched on to a four-game winning streak.
At J.K. Grant Reserve, Altona is also hoping to hold onto a finals spot after a comfortable victory over Werribee.
In reply to Werribee’s first day total of 198, Altona compiled 3/241.
Altona batsman Dan Broadbent fell five runs short of a century, while Paul Stewart (59), Ben Collins (30) made some valuable runs.
Meanwhile, Elsternwick (6/235) secured a narrow win over Sunshine (224 and 3/33) at Elsternwick Park Oval.
Andrew Chisholm guided Elsternwick to victory (64 not out), while Webb (3/69) made inroads with the ball for Sunshine.
Yarraville (212) fell 58 runs short against Kingston Saints (270) at Yarraville Oval, despite an unbeaten 109 from Tim McCrae.
Moorabbin (9/179) won a thrilling match by one wicket against Malvern (176) at Moorabbin Community Oval with the home side’s batting pair of Rick Thompson (55) and Rohan Schreier (70) sharing in a vital sixth wicket stand of 63.
Broadmeadows won a nail-biting match against Brighton at Brighton Beach Oval. Resuming at 3/23 after stumps on day two in reply to Broadmeadows’ score of 168, the home side fell agonisingly two runs short and was bowled out for 166.
And Melton (230) defeated Ormond (139) by 91 runs in their match at Ormond.
