By Lance Jenkinson
With a number of disruptions in the early rounds of its season, it was important for Werribee to capitalise on a double header weekend of one-day games in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The Tigers did just that, winning both games to stay one of three undefeated teams in the competition after five rounds. “Pretty happy with the whole weekend,” Tigers captain-coach Tim O’Brien said.
“With the washouts and stuff, we put a big focus to win this weekend because it would put us in a good spot going forward.
“To have three wins at the moment is a good start to the season.”
After accounting for Melton on Saturday, Werribee looked to repeat the dose on its tough trip to Bayswater in a top four stoush at Bayswater Oval.
The Tigers set up their victory with the bat, compiling an ultra competitive 3-226 off its 45 overs. “
The wicket was a bit slow, so it was definitely a good score,” O’Brien said.
The Dean brothers – Shaun and Matt – steered Werribee into a position of strength.
The Deans negotiated a tough period early in the innings to eke out 97 for the first wicket.
Matt was the first to be removed, run out for 55. Shaun battled on to make a century.
He batted right through to the last ball of the day to finish on 101.
PHOTO GALLERY: Melton vs Werribee
It was a stellar weekend for Shaun, who backed up from his match-winning 64 not out against
Melton 24 hours earlier. “He’s a class player,” O’Brien said. “He’s a really important player if we’re going to go deep and play finals.”
O’Brien scored a valuable 53 for Werribee. He was also run out.
The only wicket taken by a Bayswater bowler was the dismissal of Shaun Dean on the last ball of the day.
While Werribee was confident it had enough to defend, it still had to bowl well to get the spoils.
Jonathan Burton (2-21) got the ball rolling for the Tigers, taking the crucial wickets of Bayswater danger-men Blair Allen and Travis Nightingale.
“He bowled really well to get the two openers out,” O’Brien said.
“He got the two who had been making their runs.”
The Werribee spinners, Michael Kelly and O’Brien, who had identical figures of 2-29, delivered the knockout punches. Third-placed Werribee will travel to Noble Park for another one-dayer on Saturday
