Without the services of Nirranda-raised opening bowler Jake Haberfield* , the Bulldogs defeated Essendon and Prahran in their two games at Port Fairy’s Avery’s Paddock to remain second on the 18-team VPC ladder.

Essendon and Prahran each won one game at Warrnambool’s Reid Oval, with both victories coming against Geelong, which went winless.

Footscray-Edgewater coach Steve Chapman said he was pleased with his players’ efforts on a green wicket which played slow.

They made 8-124 batting first against Essendon and restricted the Bombers to 7-116 in reply.

Their second match was similarly tight, making 3-138 and holding on as Prahran reached 8-133.

Chapman highlighted first-drop batsman Travis Dean (32 and 35) as the Bulldogs’ standout player.

He was also impressed with openers Dean Russ and Dylan Kight but said the bowling efforts were match-winning.

“I was saying to a couple of guys last night, we won both games because we bowled and fielded better than they did,” he said. “We were influential at the start of the innings and we were excellent closing the game down. 

“The lads were very positive in being up and about. We came in after losing a game to Greenvale Kangaroos, which was disappointing. We went into that game on top of the ladder and they were in the lower half of the table, we really didn’t expect it.”

Chapman said he was impressed with the facilities and outfield at Avery’s Paddock, but said the pitch had “too much thick grass”.

He said Footscray-Edgewater was a big supporter of the Bush Bash concept, which had 18 Twenty20 matches played at eight country venues.

“It’s a really good concept I think. All the clubs were there this morning (at Reid Oval) helping host the kids’ clinic,” he said.

“It’s something the kids aren’t fussed by but they’ll look back on it and think those Premier cricketers came down and we had a coaching session with them.”

Prahran opener Adam Bull top-scored in the four south-west matches, making 65 against Geelong.

Footscray-Edgewater’s Kight made 50 against Prahran and Geelong’s Khalid Sawas made 42 against Essendon.

Prahran spinner Bryce McGain claimed the best figures, 4-14, while Geelong paceman Jake Reed took 4-15 in the same match.

* Haberfield was part of the Victorian Bushrangers side which began a Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland yesterday.