It will be remembered as a flag that got away for Werribee Centrals and a host of other VTCA west A1 sides after what has been an incredibly tight season.
Other than the eventual premier in 11 days time, most teams will be left with an empty feeling after squandering a chance in a close competition with no stand-out clubs.
Seven teams would have considered themselves a genuine premiership hope late on with only 11 points separating first to seventh on the ladder after the home and away rounds.
A month ago, Footscray United was sitting on the bottom of the ladder, but now they are preparing a grand final after toppling Werribee Centrals by 76 runs in the semi final at Scovell Reserve on Sunday.
Altona Roosters, the other grand finalist, was in the box seat at Christmas, but only just held on for the minor premiership after losing three out of four in the run to the finals.
Centurions wicketkeeper Chris Duffin concedes his side was beaten “fair and square” in an absorbing battle with Footscray United, but can’t help but think what might have been.
“The boys were pretty devastated after the game,” he told Star Weekly. “We felt on any day we could be any side and that’s the hardest thing.”
Werribee Centrals have come a long way in a short space of time.
Last season, the Centurions were sitting in the middle of the relegation zone with two games to go, but dug their way out of trouble in the final round to preserve their west A1 status.
They have improved across all areas this summer, finishing four spots higher on the ladder with two extra wins and improving significantly with the ball (conceded 719 less runs) and slightly with the bat (produced 79 more runs).
“There was a lot of criticism and a lot of pressure on us,” Duffin said. “A lot of guys stuck together and we backed a lot of younger guys in our side.
“It was a fantastic effort to achieve finals.”
In the semi final, Footscray United posted 9-262, a score that would normally be daunting, but not in batsmen-friendly conditions at Scovell.
Matthew Kozole (6-69 off 14) and Aaron Edrich (1-38 off 20) kept United down to what seemed like a manageable score for the Centurions.
“We arrived on the second day very confident we’d be able to produce that kind of score because of the conditions, the pitch and the outfield,” Duffin said.
The Centurions innings was up and down.
There were periods when they were on top – largely through the influence of Brad Broughton (78) and Shaun Jennings (36) – but they lacked a finisher.
Check out Star Weekly’s photo gallery from the VTCA west A1 semi final HERE
