By LIAM TWOMEY
WILLIAMSTOWN continued its impressive run of form in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association with a 45-run victory against Sunshine on Saturday.
The contest resumed with Williamstown needing eight wickets to claim the win after batting first on day one.
The Seagulls were 5/232 when Craig Sheedy declared the innings over in search of wickets.
He was rewarded with gun opening bowler Matthew Inness taking two scalps and leaving Sunshine 2/15 at stumps.
Despite being in the box seat after day one, Williamstown was forced to fight against a gutsy Sunshine outfit.
The loss of two early wickets put the pressure on the Crows but they were able to hang in throughout the afternoon.
Eventually the burden of wickets in hand and a climbing required run rate became too great as Williamstown claimed the final wicket in the 88th over.
Inness continued his outstanding match, taking another four wickets on day two to finish with the figures of 6/39 from 25 overs.
He was well supported by Mitchell Ferrie who also chipped in with two scalps of his own.
The remaining wickets were taken by Nathan Bratby and Samuel Davis.
“It was fantastic to get the win,” Seagulls captain Craig Sheedy said.
“Ideally we needed an outright to give ourselves any chance of making the finals and we knew we weren’t going to do that half-way through the day.
“It was going to be a battle to knock them over and Matthew Inness bowled beautifully and got us over the line.
“On a wicket that had nothing in it for the bowlers, he just stepped up and won the game for us.”
The weekend’s result leaves the Seagulls in 10th spot on the VSDCA East/West ladder with four wins for the season.
Sunshine now sits in 13th after winning two games.
In what will be the final round of the season this week, Williamstown will take on Noble Park while Sunshine will meet Oakleigh.
