Werribee transferred its hot two-day form into the limited overs format to make it three straight wins to start the season in the Victorian Sub-District cricket east-west group.
The Tigers cruised to a 69-run one-day victory over Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows Falcons at Lakeside Drive Reserve on Saturday to remain, with Bayswater, one of two unbeaten sides in the group.
In-form Tim O’Brien set it up with the bat for the Tigers, top-scoring with 49 in his team’s 9-205 from the maximum 45 overs.
O’Brien featured in a difference-making 69-run second wicket partnership with opener Matthew Dean (39).
O’Brien is averaging 90 in his three digs of the summer.
“He’s in pretty good form,” Tigers captain Shaun Dean told the Weekly.
“His first three balls might have been four, two, four or something like that. He got the score ticking over when he came in.”
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Tigers, as they lost 5-33 in the middle overs to go from a position of strength at 1-90 to 6-123.
Jake Purton rescued the innings with 33, mixing sensible stroke play with hard hitting.
“He did a little bit of both,” Dean said. “He struck the ball quite firmly from the start but mixed it in with a few cheeky singles.
“It wasn’t all one-paced hitting, he played quite smartly until he went out with about 15 balls to go. It was invaluable for us.”
The Tigers defended the total with ease.
They had the Falcons on the ropes at 7-73 before Mitchell Streiff added some respectability to the score with 81.
“Once they were seven-for, even though Streiff was in and hitting the ball quite well, we knew he didn’t have many blokes to hang around with,” Dean said.
Jonathan Burton was superb for the Tigers with 4-27 off nine overs.
The new-ball operator has been a scrooge with the ball in his first three outings.
“Jono’s quite economical, whether it’s a one-dayer, Twenty20 or a two day game, he always hits the spot,” Dean said.
“His first two overs weren’t the best, but he reeled it back in, started to hit his length and reaped the rewards with four wickets.”
Matt Thomson snared 2-27 off seven overs, while Adam Alifraco got 2-6 and a run out.
The highlight of the fielding effort was a spectacular Purton run out.
“He dived, picked it up one hand and hit direct from side on,” Dean said.
The Tigers will host Endeavour Hills in a Saturday-Sunday clash at Chirnside Park this weekend.
