Werribee Centrals will get a chance to shape their own destiny in the last round of Victorian Turf Cricket Association north A1.
It was “pandemonium” in the Centurion rooms following Saturday’s second-last ball triumph over blossoming rival St Andrews in the grand final re-match at Pennell Reserve.
The Centurion players knew how important the victory was as it allowed them to climb out of the relegation zone.
They head into a final-round meeting with Sunshine Druids on 63.55 points and knowing a win is likely to ensure survival – barring a major points grab in the form of outrights from St Francis de Sales (63.39),
St Albans (57.43) or Youlden Parkville (56.25).
“There was a big crowd there and it was tense – that’s why it was pretty euphoric,” Centurions secretary Chris Duffin said.
The Centurions were slightly downcast after making 8-128 on a heat-reduced opening day.
But their tailenders rose to the challenge.
Ashley Dorricott (59no) and Justin Davies (28) put on 77 for the ninth wicket to lift the Centurions to 9-214 from their 60 overs.
The St Andrews innings had supporters of both sides on the edge of their seats.
The Centurions had the upper hand early when the Saints slumped to 2-40. But the Saints found their groove through Anthony Hibbert (71) and captain Jake Buttigieg (39) to advance to 2-114.
With eight wickets to get, the Centurions star-studded bowling attack went to work.
Spinner Dean Giarrusso took 2-37 off 11.5, including the game-clinching wicket of Mark Dorricott on the second-last ball of the day to have the Saints all out for 171.
It was a brave move for captain Aaron Edrich to throw Giarrusso the ball for the last over, but it paid off big time.
