If Werribee is to feature in this summer’s sub-district cricket finals, it will have to make its run from outside the top six in the new year.
The Tigers lost consecutive games for the first time this season at the weekend and settled in eighth place at the mid-season break.
They have been on the losing side of the equation in three of their past four matches, rendering their three consecutive wins to start the season a distant memory.
Werribee was hoping for a steadying win against Melton, but came up short by 23 runs on the road at MacPherson Park on Saturday.
The Tigers main bowling weapons were ineffectual as Melton compiled 5-221 off 45 overs.
The only success the Tigers had came through change bowlers Matthew Watt (2-48) and skipper Tom O’Brien (2-25).
Werribee made a positive start with the bat, advancing to 84 before the loss of the first wicket.
The opening pair of Adam Alifraco (54) and Shaun Dean (81) thrived in a partnership and laid the foundation. But that was where the joy ended for the Tigers.
Aside from O’Brien with 17 and Jonathan Burton with 11 not out, there was disappointment all round with a host of single figure scores.
Werribee will get a chance to re-group over the festive season break with a critical one-day game to follow against ladder-leader Williamstown at the Williamstown Cricket Ground on January 7.
Hoppers Crossing is one side that would not be welcoming the mid-summer break. The Cats have been on a roll lately with back-to-back wins following a hellish opening five rounds.
It was once again the Cats bowlers who set up their victory, dismissing Bayswater for just 120.
Off-spinner Hendro Dias was the pick of the Cats bowlers with 4-14, while opening bowlers Greg Kennedy (2-23) and Brett Smith (2-23) played key roles.
Nothing ever comes easy with the bat for Hoppers Crossing these days, but they managed to scrape home to win by a wicket.
The Cats were in all sorts of trouble on 8-66 before Dias (22) and wicketkeeper Justin Goegan (31 not out) shared in a 54-run ninth wicket partnership.
Hoppers Crossing remains second-last on the ladder, but only two wins outside the top six. A trip to Box Hill for a one-day game awaits the Cats on January 7.
In the VTCA, Werribee Centrals remain winless in the north-west division after blowing a huge chance for a breakthrough win against Pascoe Vale Hadfield.
Chasing a 118 victory target, the low on confidence Centurions were bowled out for 85.
The Centurions were in range of an outright win, powering to 7-137 at 7.21 runs per over, but ran out of overs.
In west A1, Seabrook easily defended its low total of 155, routing Bellbridge for 95.
Chris Kavanagh, Thomas Flynn and Dilip Sarkhell took three wickets apiece for the third-placed Saints.
