The first session of Saturday’s play could be the most important of the season for Werribee Centrals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-west A1.
The third-last Centurions are winless with just 12.54 points after three rounds – already a large 17 points outside the top four.
They are locked in an arm wrestle with second-last St Andrews Footscray, which will be just as desperate as the Centurions to notch a win.
After the opening day at Galvin Park Reserve, the game is well and truly in the balance.
St Andrews Footscray must have felt uneasy after posting 122 in 46.1 overs, but they took back some momentum by day’s end.
Luke Allister (4-36) and Ashley Appleby (3-13) were a thorn in the side of the batsmen.
Whatever advantage Werribee Centrals got out of its bowlers had dissipated when it went to stumps in trouble on 6-71, still needing 52 runs.
Rahmatullah Khwaja offered the only resistance for the Centurions with 25 not out.
To the winner goes a finals’ lifeline, while the loser could be consigned to a relegation battle.
In north west B1, Point Cook posted 171 off 76 overs in the local derby against Wyndhamvale at Saltwater Reserve.
It was a stop-start day for the Warriors, but Jack Bolom (57), Brett Talbot (38) and Aaron Whear (39) ensured the hosts would produce a competitive total.
In west A1, Bellbridge could only manage 113 against Seabrook at Mossfiel Reserve.
The Bears progress was halted by Saints third change bowler Walgama Eranga, who took an incredible 6-22 off 19.4.
Seabrook is cruising at 1-22 in reply.
