Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing finished a disappointing Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west season on a high.
While finals were out of the equation well before the final round, the Cats could have been forgiven for just cruising to the line.
But instead the Cats came away with a big win against Spotswood, which ended the Woodsmen’s finals hopes.
Cats’ president Jake Porter said it hadn’t been what they wanted heading into the season.
“It was a disappointing season,” he said.
“We wanted to perform a lot better this season. We had an opportunity to give some younger players a good and it was good for the future.
“We could have rolled over, but we fought it out to the end.”
The match started late due to rain before the match, with each team able to face 30 overs.
The Woodsmen were restricted to 7-138 from their overs. Brett Smith took two wickets for the Cats.
Brock Bamford got the side going with 28 off 21 balls. The Cats would make the runs with 14 balls remaining, finishing 7-139.
Ajay Bhatt top scored with 47.
Porter said they were able to put together a good strong all-round performance to come away with the win.
“We put it all together,” he said. “It was a good bowling performance and then we started well with the bat.
“Brock was given a licence to enjoy himself and do what he does best. He got a few away in what was his third first XI game.”
Porter said they would look to build on this season next year, with the younger players and hopefully a few recruits.
Werribee finished the regular season with a win against Melton. With a top two spot already sealed, the Tigers easily beat the winless Lions.
The Lions were bowled out for 119, with the Tigers finishing 1-120 in reply. They finished the regular season in second.
The season wasn’t completely disappointing for the Cats, with their two women’s sides making grand finals to be played this Sunday.
The top side that plays in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket north-west B competition, beat Ballarat Women’s in the semi finals.
Ballarat was bowled out for 92, with Taylah Steadman taking 3-14. The Cats finished 2-93 in reply. Muskan Sandhu finished 42 not out.
They will face Essendon in the grand final.
The second side, which is a combined side with Sanctuary Lakes, plays in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association division 4 competition.
They faced Flemington Colts in their semi final. Flemington Colts made 5-93 from its overs, with the combined team finishing 4-98 in reply.
Werribee and Point Cook also played in women’s semi finals in the NWMCA on Sunday.
In division 3, Werribee beat Point Cook. Werribee made 1-139 before restricting Point Cook to 6-76.
In division 5, Werribee made it two from two sides into grand final finals beating Sydenham-Hillside.
Sydenham-Hillside made 4-111, with Werribee making 5-119 with four overs remaining.
Werribee will face Haig Fawkner-East Coburg and Moonee Valley in the division 3 and 5 grand finals respectively.
