Six wickets to Adam Yates helped Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows to a crushing win over Coburg in Victorian Sub-District cricket’s north-west division on Saturday.
The Falcons registered the first outright win of the season in north-west, moving them to the head of the table.
A top-two finish and double chance in the finals is now in their own hands.
After skittling Coburg for 50 and securing first-innings points on day one of the clash at Coburg City Oval, the Falcons resumed at 2-147 and scored quickly before declaring at 6-212. Jacob Austin top-scored with 75.
Coburg was all out for 127 in the second innings, Yates taking 6-20.
But the Falcons’ task wasn’t as easy as it seemed, according to captain-coach Mitch Johnstone.
“We had them 4-50-odd at tea and then they got a good partnership going between a couple of established players,” he said.
“At that stage we thought it would be hard to get the outright win.
“We threw our bowlers around and Adam Yates did the job. It was the best performance from any of our bowlers this season.
“He’s been under-utilised as our bowling attack has been really strong.”
Johnstone said the team had come out with a positive mindset after a disappointing result in the previous round.
“The loss was the kick up the backside we needed to refocus,” he said. “We’re a workmanlike side and we weren’t quite focused in the last round.
“This week we got back to what we do best. Jacob Austin, who’s just 18, batted really well and Tim Branagan is returning to form.” But Johnstone said that with a poor percentage, the side needed to continue winning to stay in the top two.
“In such an even competition, a home final and second chance is massive,” Johnstone said.
A dominating performance from Brad Mitchell ensured victory for Plenty Valley against Brunswick.
Mitchell made 175 not out in his side’s total of 275. The next highest score was 25.
The Bats sit second on the ladder, three points behind the Falcons.
