Werribee can find a way to win when others would roll over in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west group.
The Tigers are one of the toughest nuts to crack because their mental toughness seems to be superior to most other teams.
They needed every bit of their psychological edge to record a 21-run win against Endeavour Hills in a two-dayer played at Chirnside Park at the weekend.
“In the last 12 months, we’ve learned how to win with this group of players,” Tigers captain Shaun Dean said. “We aren’t playing that well and still winning.”
The Tigers were up a creek without a paddle on day one. They collapsed to be 8-63.
Only a late salvo from Jake Purton (49) would add a hint of respectability as this usually powerful Tigers batting line-up was bowled out for 129. Purton featured in a 38-run ninth wicket stand with Matthew Thomson (6) and let his natural instincts
take over.
“He hit the ball as clean as anyone can hit a cricket ball,” Dean said.
“That’s his natural ability, that’s one of his assets. But to do it on a wicket like that, under that sort of pressure, and to do it with the tail, I can’t speak highly enough of that.
“It’s pretty much won us the game to be honest.”
Endeavour Hills had bitten off a large chunk of the deficit to be 3-41 at stumps.
The forecast look gloomy for the Tigers, their undefeated record well and truly on the line, but they held their ground.
“Looking at the score on paper, it wouldn’t have read too kindly in our favour,” Dean said.
“But, the way the wicket was, the outfield was quite lush, not very quick, and the wicket had enough in it for us to take another seven wickets and restrict them.
“In my mind, and I kept reiterating to my guys, if we stuck to our plan, do what we want to do, we will get 10 chances, if not more, to win the game.”
The Tigers would take 7-77 to claim a memorable win.
Boom recruit Heath Pritchard maintained the rage with 5-27 off 19.1 overs.
The seam bowler has 12 wickets at 10.3 since joining the club.
“He’s the extra bowler we needed, and he’s delivered,” Dean said.
“He just doesn’t give the batsmen an inch. He’s relentless in his line and length.”
The Tigers are one of only two sides undefeated after four matches.
They will be expected to stretch their streak to five on their visit to Mount Waverley over the next two Saturdays.
