By ADEM SAROCAOGLU
SPOTSWOOD remains second-last in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s Senior Division and stranded on just two wins after going down to Old Mentonians on the road.
The Woodsmen couldn’t defend their 8/122 after choosing to bat before the start of play, eventually going down by just six runs.
After losing Abhijeet Sharma for just four early in the innings, Spotswood steadied with Ross Horkings and Khalid Sawas adding 56 for the second wicket.
However once Sawas was removed for 33, the Woodsmen failed to capitalise on the momentum and crumbled through the middle order.
Spotswood was stuck on 7/82 when Andrew Butler joined David Buysen before the pair managed to add some late runs.
Butler and captain Andrew Dickinson then battled hard with the ball as Spotswood defended their modest total, and both got among the early wickets.
Two wickets for 25 evolved into 4/62 when Butler removed James Woite for seven, but from there Old Mentonians took control of the game.
Captain Josh Tolley scored 54 before Dickinson had him bowled, while up the other end Simon Cormie made 25 of his own as the pair produced a 63-run partnership that ultimately produced the winning runs.
Off eight overs each Butler and Dickinson snared 3/21 and 3/24 respectively.
Spotswood will now need to overcome Beaumaris this Saturday at Banksia Reserve to reverse their five-game losing streak.
Meanwhile Yarraville Club scored a crucial win over Airport West St Christophers to remain second on the table.
The Clubbers sent the visitors in to bat for the one day clash and were somewhat rewarded for that decision, restricting the Saints to 9/178 in their 40-over dig.
Yarraville Club used a whopping eight bowlers, but only three of them snared wickets, with Matthew Boglis and Matthew Murphy claiming 3/20 and 3/33 respectively.
In response most of the Clubbers’ top and middle order provided sturdy contributions with the bat as they sailed passed the Saints, reaching 8/198 at the end of their 40 overs.
Captain-coach Justin Baker got the ball rolling in perfect fashion for Yarraville Club with an opening knock that yielded 58 before he was bowled out.
Michael O’Keefe fell for a duck and Mark Williams could only manage 12, but once they were dismissed the middle order took charge, with Anthony Christofaro (22), Adam Contessa (31) and Andrew Cullen (41) all getting decent starts.
The winning runs came with Cullen and Kayne Meehan at the crease, before Cullen and Richard Sherlock were sent packing in the final overs.
This Saturday Yarraville Club will host St Bernard’s in a top four one-day clash.
