Tara Murray
Woodend is hoping to finish the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season on a high.
Normally a side that is in the finals mix, the Woodend found itself on the bottom of the ladder heading into the last three matches.
With the bottom side set to be relegated at the end of the season, it’s a big few weeks for Woodend.
Speaking before the Saturday-Sunday clash with East Sunbury, coach Greg Matthews said they were keen to finish the season on a high.
“We’ve got a few weeks coming up and we’re hoping to get a few wins to finish the season,” he said.
“It’s not where we want to be at this time of the season. We’ve had a tough run with the fixture since just before Christmas.
“At the same time it has been a good test.”
Matthews said there had been some games which hadn’t gone their way, which they were close enough to get the win.
He said that it was a tough competition and several teams were putting on really big scores.
Matthews said while it wasn’t an excuse, not being able to get their full team on the park had played a role in some results.
“We’ve had a pretty bad run of availability and injuries,” he said. “We’ve had maybe one game at full strength.
“We’ve filled sides which have been pretty inexperienced. Last week we had five players under-20, it will still be a pretty young team.”
Matthews said the opportunities the young players were getting was valuable and it gave them the chance to play against some high level players.
Xavier Tadd scored a century against Sunbury United in a good sign for the future.
“He is one of the young ones,” Matthews said. “He’s the first one of the younger crop to make 100.
“There’s really pleasing and hopefully a bit of a motivation to the rest of the young batters.”
Matthews said they hadn’t spoken about relegation.
Woodend’s hopes of avoiding relegation received a boost, as the side beat East Sunbury on the weekend.
On Saturday, Woodend made 186 with Marcus Stewart top scoring with 53. Thomas Burnside took 5-49 for the Thunder.
The Thunder fought hard but was bowled out for 143 with Nathan Dent top scoring with 53.
James Morley took five wickets for Woodend.
With the win under its belt, Woodend finished 5-137 in its second innings Stewart finished 75 not out off 98 balls.
The win moves Woodend off the bottom of the ladder and above the Thunder and Wallan.
Woodend finishes it seasons against the Sunbury Kangaroos (seventh) and Rupertswood (sixth)
Matthews said they would just take each match as it comes and they were just focused on performing at a high level on the field and finishing the season on a high.
