WERRIBEE has been in total control of its destiny in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The Tigers were so consistent from the start of October to the end of February that a top-two berth was sealed before the final round was played.
There is one last question that had to be answered about the Tigers and that was how they would perform in a pressure cooker, finals-type game and the spotlight was on them on Saturday.
Third-placed powerhouse Caulfield was in town and a big crowd had gathered for past players and ladies day functions.
It was a chance for the Tigers, who had not played in first XI finals for 12 years, to make a statement to the rest of the finalists on a big day.
But the Tigers, who have taken two steps forward this summer, took one step back in a deflating 35-run one-day loss.
It had no impact on ladder positions, but the loss was no good for the psyche of an inexperienced outfit, when it comes to finals.
Tigers captain Shaun Dean was pulling no punches, describing his side’s bowling effort as “terrible” and the batting performance as “dumb”.
The Tigers were quick to send Caulfield in on a deck that offered plenty to his bowlers.
The visitors were in a spot of bother at 2-12 before a recovery yielded 5-234 off 45 overs.
Peter Cross (111) and Ben Shipperd (87) combined for a 183-run second wicket stand.
“That’s the worst I’ve seen us bowl and on conditions that we supposedly meant to suit us,” Dean said.
“They did bat exceptionally well, they’re quality players, but I thought that we fed their strengths.
“It was frustrating from a captain’s point of view to keep trying to find bowlers because everyone you turned to didn’t do a job.”
New ball operator Matthew Thomson was the exception.
He was the lone economically sound bowler with 1-21 off nine overs.
Jonathan Burton was the only multiple wicket taker with 2-50.
The Tigers have been in red hot batting form and could not be discounted from a successful run chase.
They stuck to the task initially, in front of the opposition worm at drinks on 2-99.
Matthew Dean (46) and Tim O’Brien were coasting along until a couple of fatal brain fades.
“We were in a good position at drinks, in front of where they were at the same time,” Shaun Dean said.
“Matt and Tim played well, but they both holed out to a man on the fence.
“They didn’t have to play shots like that.
“We were pretty dumb in the way we batted.”
It was the beginning of the end for the Tigers.
Once Dean and O’Brien were removed, it was an uphill task.
Wade McCall tried to get the Tigers back in the game with 45, but this was a sinking ship.
The Tigers ended the home and away rounds on a sour note, but it will be quickly forgotten at Watton Street when Saturday swings around.
“We haven’t been in the finals for 12 years,” Dean said, ahead of this weekend’s two-day home qualifying final against Kingston Saints.
“This is it, this is what you play cricket for and we haven’t been there for a long, long time.
“All the boys will be pretty switched on and will come to the ground raring to go for a finals series and we’ll give it a big shake.”
VSDCA
Firsts: Werribee 199 (T O’Brien 63 MJ Dean 46 W McCall 45; A Schwarz 2-27 A Warren 2-41) lt Caulfield 5-234 (P Cross 111 B Shipperd 87; J Burton 2-50).
Seconds: Caulfield 131 (M Howard 53; C Moran 3-23 M Kinross 3-26 C Hennessy 2-10) lt Werribee 6-203 (A Duxson 69 NJ Duxson 30 P Houghton 28 M Burton 27).
Thirds: Werribee 5-121 (R Brady 26no) d Preston 120 (C Ratnayake 4-25 D Buchanan 2-9).
Fourths: Preston 111 (B Sutter 37 N Buykx 3-26 R Dodemaide 2-8 M Crameri 2-17 J Smith 2-19) lt Werribee 8-141 (L Boicos 49 JC Russell 40; TT Legg 3-26).
