THE Werribee Tigers are proving indestructible.
No matter what obstacles have been thrown their way, they’ve dusted themselves off and got on with the task.
The Tigers have been a dominant force this Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west group first XI finals series and won their way through to a grand final date with Melton.
SEE: Werribee Tigers into grand final
They poleaxed the Kingston Saints by a massive 260 runs in the qualifying final and slaughtered Elsternwick by nine wickets in Saturday’s semi-final.
The most pressing tasks would appear to be those away from the field of battle.
“There’s been a lot going on off the field, that’s for sure,” Tigers captain Shaun Dean told the Weekly.
“We’ve put it all aside and came out and played some clinical cricket. It shows the character of the team.
“We’re not letting it affect our cricket. That’s been spot on.”
The Tigers have had to deal with a long list of issues. In the opening week of the finals, the players had to roll their own pitch due to a strike by Wyndham Council workers.
“Myself and three other guys had to prepare the wicket for a final,” Dean said. “What other club in Australia has had to do that?”
Nature has played its part in the frustration too – record high temperatures one weekend followed by a cold snap last weekend.
The rain led to frustration about the VSDCA playing rules, which state if a game does not reach the two-hour mark on day one, it reverts to a one-dayer on the second day. The Tigers, who worked so hard to finish second, felt their advantage diminished by playing a limited-overs game.
“We only got an hour and 31 minutes in on Saturday,” Dean said.
“Yesterday’s result was null and void and today it was white balls and coloured clothing, a totally different game.
“It’s ridiculous for the competition to have a rule like that. You might as well make it a one-day competition if you’re going to do that stuff in the finals.”
To frustrate Dean further, he won the toss on Saturday, but the umpires ordered another on Sunday, which he lost.
That was not where the drama ended. Veteran David Wolfe suffered a slight knee injury, and 12th man Adam Duxson was called up at the last minute to open the batting.
At least the semi-final was fairly straightforward for the Tigers.
They bowled out Elsternwick for 97 in 36.3 overs with Matthew Thomson putting on a bowling master class with 1-12 off seven and Jake Purton, who missed the start because of work, taking 3-25.
The Tigers reached the target one down in the 22nd over with Matthew Dean top-scoring with 51 not out.
VSDCA
Semi-final: Werribee 1-100 (MJ Dean 51no) d Elsternwick 97 (HE Nurse 29 J Purton 3-25 T O’Brien 2-4)
First XI grand final: Werribee Tigers v Melton Lions
Saturday and Sunday, at MacPherson Park, Melton
