Werribee Centrals capitulated to lose outright to Altona Roosters in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north A1.
The groundwork was laid for what should have been a relatively drama-free end to the game after the Roosters spent the best part of the second day working towards first innings points.
The Centurions defended their small total of 128 with an admirable bowling and fielding effort, but the Roosters still managed to pass the score and take a 17-run lead at the change of innings.
If you thought it was going to be your run-of-the-mill final session on the second day, you would have had the shock of your life. The Centurions produced an alarming batting display to be bowled out for 50 in 26.1 overs.
PICTURE GALLERY: Werribee Centrals v Altona Roosters
The mindset turned from a glorified batting practice session to hitting the panic button when the wickets started to tumble.
Their 33-run lead was gone in no time for the loss of two wickets.
“It went from a game where there wasn’t much to play for, to them walking off the ground with about six overs to spare with a win,” Centurions opening batsman Chris Duffin told the Weekly. “It was one of those days.”
Duffin was making no excuses for the Centurions batsmen. He said there was no extraordinary assistance offered to the bowlers from the pitch – it was just poor batting.
“Maybe guys weren’t in the right head space,” he said.
“We’ve just got to get back into training and keep working on our faults.”
Earlier in the day, pacemen Aaron Edrich and Justin Davies worked hard to pick up some valuable points for the Centurions.
Edrich, the new captain-coach after the Centurions parted company with long-time coach Phil Crea halfway through the final year of his contract, churned out 33.1 overs for a return of 3-34, while Davies took 4-52 off 25 overs.
“The bowling and fielding effort in the first innings was phenomenal,” Duffin said.
The inconsistent Centurions have returned to the middle of the pack, 10 points out of the top four and only three points above the relegation zone.
They will host Haig Fawkner, which is one spot above them on the ladder, in a crucial last two-day game before the holiday break.
