Werribee’s finals dream may have been derailed by mother nature.
The Tigers have tumbled out of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west first XI top six after their match against Taylors Lakes was abandoned due to a damp pitch at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
After setting a victory target of 182, Werribee had Taylors Lakes on the ropes at 5-69.
But after 10 overs of play on day two, the umpires called the game off, much to the chagrin of Tigers captain-coach Tim O’Brien.
“I was dumbfounded, to be honest,” he said. “As a club, we went through the right processes and they [the umpires] were happy with the wicket at the start.
“We didn’t take a wicket for seven overs and it was fine, but all of a sudden we took four wickets in about three or four overs and the wicket was deemed unsafe. In no way was it dangerous. It certainly wasn’t dangerous enough to call the game off.”
Werribee was caught out by unscheduled rain on the Friday morning. But in just 30 minutes, the Tigers had a team of volunteers at the ground in time to put the covers on.
The directive from the association was for the covers to stay down on Friday night. The Tigers complied, but O’Brien thinks the moisture was not able to come out of the pitch.
“When we took the covers off the next day, it obviously hadn’t dried out enough,” he said. “It wasn’t too wet, it was OK to bat on. We played 10 or 11 overs and it wasn’t dangerous.”
It was a costly outcome for Werribee.
After dislodging Yarraville from the top six, the Tigers ceded sixth spot to the same team.
Werribee’s finals destiny is out of its hands.
The Tigers not only have to beat in-form Brunswick in a one-day game at Gillon Oval in the final round on Saturday, they also need Taylors Lakes to produce an upset win over Yarraville. O’Brien is not counting his side out in light of the pressure on Yarraville.
“They’ll know that they’ve got to win the game,” he said. “Taylors Lakes will be a dangerous side in a one-dayer.”
In the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, Werribee Centrals are looking to finish the north-west A1 season on a high note.
The Centurions posted 122 and have Glenroy in trouble on 5-40 after a superb spell of bowling from Ashley Appleby (4-19).
In west A1, Seabrook’s spot on the top of the ladder is shaky after it posted just 164 against second-placed Grand United at JR Parsons Reserve. United was not exactly coasting at 2-19 at stumps, so there is all to play for on the second day.
Bellbridge was set a victory target of 243 against Melton Centrals at Blackwood Reserve.
In north west B1, Point Cook – one spot out of the top four – made a bold declaration on 9-157 against Williamstowm Imperials.
The Warriors snared three late wickets to have the Imps worried on 3-14.
Wyndhamvale is on the verge of a first-innings loss to Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve after posting just 80 on day one. The CYs are cruising at 4-72 in reply.
