By ADEM SARICAOGLU
LAVERTON began its Victorian Turf Cricket Association season on a winning note after knocking over local North Division rival Williamstown CYMS in a 40-over one-day clash on Saturday.
Laverton was set the task of chasing down 121 for victory after the CYs won the toss and chose to bat on the Laverton Park deck.
Led by keeper-batsman Mark Logan, the Magpies cruised their way to 4/124 to score an easy victory.
Williamstown CYMS looked to be flying at 4/100 but after Fletcher Henry was caught behind for 36 the innings collapsed, as the next four wickets all fell with 111 runs on the board.
The CYs had no answer for Laverton bowler Shaun Delaney, who yielded 5/23 and two maidens from seven overs to shatter the visitors’ innings.
Matthew O’Brien was then dismissed cheaply for one early in the Laverton chase but from there the Magpies’ top order surged, with Logan (56 not out), Aaron Driver (28) and Sam Young (22) all scoring decent runs.
Meanwhile across town at McLean Reserve, recently-relegated Spotswood scored an impressive win over Altona North.
The Woodsmen chose to bat first after winning the toss and made the most of their 40 overs, posting 4/188.
Keeper-batsman Ross Horkings was the star for Spotswood with 57 while Ed Young (37) and opener David Buysen (36) chipped in with handy runs of their own.
In response Altona North struggled, as Spotswood’s Michael Knight, Andrew Dickinson and Tom Johnstone all dominated with the ball during the chase.
Captain-coach Dickinson cleaned up the Altona North opening pair of Max Curtis (0) and Haydn Wilkinson (8) on his way to figures of 2/10 off five overs, while Johnstone claimed two crucial middle-order wickets.
Knight then took care of the Altona North tail on his way to 3/22.
Chris Metters was the only notable scorer for Altona North on the day, notching up 33.
