KEILOR kept its slim VTCA Senior Division finals hopes alive after easily claiming first innings points over cellar-dweller Spotswood on Saturday.
The Blues knocked over Spotswood for 76 defending their all-out 218 first innings total as in-form bowler Jody Hutchinson did all the damage.
Hutchinson ravaged the Woodsmen’s top order on his way to figures of 5/24 from 17 overs, eight of which were maidens.
A measly 19 runs from Ross Horkings was Spotswood’s top score for the innings, but he was eventually bowled by Dan Schuppan for his only wicket of the innings.
Having only faced 35 overs in their first dig the Woodsmen resumed the crease for a second innings and looked much better, with Matt Leddin and David Buysen providing a 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
But the resistance proved futile, as stumps were called after 56 overs with Spotswood at 7/120.
MEANWHILE Williamstown CYMS can also hold hope of sneaking into finals contention in the VTCA North Division after beating Keilor Park on Saturday.
Bowlers Andrew Walshe and John Gallivan shared six wickets for the CYs in defence of their side’s 186 from seven days earlier, as Keilor Park capitulated with a total of five ducks to fall short all-out for 141.
Opener Andrew Barlow was impressive with his 42 while Tharanga Indika knocked 59 batting at number four, but with several zeros and single-digit figures surrounding their names, the Keilor Park scorecard didn’t look pretty.
Despite almost taking up the entire 80 overs to dismiss Keilor Park, Williamstown CYMS faced 14 second innings overs and managed to reach 3/51, with Patrick Gallivan making 21 and Janaka Siriwardana managing 14.
With two rounds to come Williamstown CYMS is sixth with a chance to rise to fourth, while Keilor Park remains ninth on the table.
