Seasoned campaigners Tim O’Brien and Heath Pritchard were the go-to guys for Werribee in a 46-run win against Williamstown in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association western derby at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
O’Brien made 106 not out to set the game up on day one, while Pritchard sealed the deal with 5-38 on the second day to leave the Seagulls pining for an impact player of their own.
The Seagulls were littered with promise in a spirited run chase but lacking in a player who could take the bull by the horns. They were bowled out 192, well short of the Tigers’ imposing 9-238.
“There’s 106 out of 239 [by O’Brien] and five-for out of 10 wickets [by Pritchard] that need to be taken,” Werribee captain Shaun Dean said. “The two standout performers were the difference for us.”
The Seagulls could have done without a slow start. They were 2-7 with both openers back in the pavilion and it put pressure on the middle order.
Craig Sheedy (29), Brenton Hodges (28) and Jonty Paulsen (33) breathed life into the chase, but all went out just as it appeared they were about to flick into top gear.
A 68-run eighth wicket partnership between Jordan Doyle (41) and Sam Davis (17) provided late hope for the Seagulls, but it came to an end when Davis was run out with a direct hit by Tigers midwicket fielder Adam Alifraco.
Werribee survived the late flurry to make it 11 wins to start the season.
They will face their two toughest opponents when they take on Oakleigh (third) in a two-dayer away starting on Saturday and Bayswater (second) in a final round one-dayer.
Dean says his side welcomes the challenges.
“It’s going to be an interesting three-week period before we run into finals,” he said. “You want to test yourselves against the better sides in the competition. There’s no reason why we can’t go through undefeated.”.
