By Tara Murray
It’s must win for Werribee for the rest of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west competition if it’s any chance of playing finals.
The Tigers had an up and down first part of the season and started the new year with a loss putting them behind the eight ball.
It meant Saturday’s match with Moorabbin and the rest of the season are a must win if they want to play finals according to captain Tim O’Brien.
They ticked that first box with a convincing win against Moorabbin.
“It was good to get back on the winners list after last week,” he said. “We have to win every game, it’s do or die for us.
“Last week was disappointing as we were in a position to win. We were able to get the win yesterday [Saturday] and now face Taylors Lakes which has started the year well but have dropped a couple of games.”
The Tigers were in action against Moorabbin, which sits second bottom, on Saturday.
O’Brien said they knew they couldn’t take it for granted.
The bowlers did the job, bowling Moorabbin out for just 80.
“Our guys bowled really well at the start and got early wickets,” he said. “Jonathan Burton and Stephen Plumridge started the day well and then the spinners in Jackson Hopper and Adam Alifraco came on.
“It was good to see Maahi Patel get his first wicket for the club.
“We were able to maintain that momentum and were able to bowl them out cheaply.”
Burton and Hopper took three wickets each.
With only a small run chase, the Tigers were still wary about getting the job done.
O’Brien said they just focused on getting off to a good start.
“We got to 1-40 before Ryan Alifraco came in at the end and finished it off for us.”
Matthew Harmer finished 25 not out with Ryan Alifraco 22 not out.
The Tigers are now 11th on the ladder, 15 points outside the top six.
It wasn’t as happy a day for Hoppers Crossing as it lost to Altona at J.K Grant Reserve in its match.
The Cats were bowled out for just 119 with no player scoring more than 25.
Shijit Chandran top scored with 22.
Altona lost two early wickets before settling and getting the job done easily, finishing 2-121.
The Cats have slipped to fourth following the loss.
It faces Moorabbin this Saturday in another one-dayer this Saturday.
