By Tara Murray
Werribee Centrals is hoping luck turns its way in the second part of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans-Clark Shield season.
The Centurions have one win for the season, but have been unlucky in a couple of other matches that have been washed out.
Having been more competitive this season, president Luke Allister said it had been slightly frustrating not to see some more successful results.
He felt they had improved with both the bat and ball.
“We had two games that were washed out and we were in really good positions,” he said.
“We’ve felt like nothing has gone our way. We’ve only been outplayed in one game. We’re trending in the right direction with a fairly new team that is learning how to play together.”
Allister said it was a really tight competition with not much between the teams.
Despite winning just one game, the Centurions are still in finals contention.
Allister, who has missed most of the season with injury, said they were starting to see the rewards from a number of years of hard work.
He said the group and coach Tarique Jeffrey were starting to gel together. He said the side wanted to continue to set the platform for seasons to come.
“We had a couple of guys out and we bought a couple of guys up from the seconds,” he said.
“Brad [Davies] I don’t think has played first XI cricket before. We have a good squad and the seconds are going along really well.
“We still have a fairly young team. It’s been a work in progress. When I get fit I might not start back in the ones, which means we have some depth which is fantastic.”
The Centurions have set themselves a good platform in the first game back after the break against ladder leaders Sunshine YCW.
The Centurions made 249 as they were bowled out in the 75th over on Saturday. Usman Ashraf top scored with 65.
Allister said they thought that was a good score. He said the pleasing thing was that didn’t have to rely on one batter to get the job done.
“We would take that every week,” he said. “We still have to bowl the other team out.
“It means nothing if they make 251.
“We feel like we’re trending in the right direction. Hopefully we can get the win and results go our way and we’re just outside the top four.”
In other matches, Bellbridge made 231 against Laverton.
Skipper Dillon Hinge top scored with 98.
In the Russell Pollock Shield, Wyndham Vale has already conceded first innings points to Barkly St United.
The Vales were bowled out for 77, with Barkly St Uniting 3-176 at stumps.
Only three batters reached double figures for the Vales, with Jay Dolliver top scoring with 23.
