Werribee claimed one of its most desired scalps in a 55-run blitz of arch-rival Altona in an east-west group showdown at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
The Tigers will proudly retain the Paul Jenkins Shield for the third season running.
It’s a prized possession captain Shaun Dean was thrilled to keep his hands on.
“Paul has been around our club for a fairly long time so it’s good to win something that is named after one of the club legends,” Dean said. “He’s somebody I’m pretty close to and have known most of my life.”
PICTURE GALLERY: Werribee v Altona
The Tigers held all the aces from the moment Tim O’Brien arrived at the crease on day one.
He produced a magnificent 122 not out to lead the hosts to a commanding 5-262.
The A’s’ run chase on the second day struggled to gain traction.
A’s skipper Shane Jones top-scored with 60 from the middle order, but he was offered a lifeline when on a duck.
“We dropped two catches and one of them was Jones on a duck, which would’ve killed the game well and truly just before tea,” Dean said.
The A’s, widely tipped to make a deep run in the finals, battled on to post 207.
They just couldn’t handle the bowling of Tigers’ new recruit Heath Pritchard, who finished with 5-49.
“At one stage, he had bowled nine overs and taken 1-1,” Dean said.
“They couldn’t hit him and didn’t look to score off him, so he just ate them up. He put the ball in the right areas and they were happy to keep pushing it back.”
The Tigers, who have started the season 2-0, visit unbeaten Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows in a top-of-the-ladder one-day clash at Lakeside Drive Reserve on Saturday.
