Werribee Centrals was struck down by an all-too-familiar middle order batting collapse in its 108-run first innings loss to Glenroy in the VTCA north-west division at Sewell Reserve on Saturday.
The Centurions needed everything to go right to be in with a chance of chasing down the Roys’ big total of 244, but lost the last six wickets for 26 runs to be all out for 136.
Centurions’ captain Luke Allister could see light at the end of the tunnel for his winless side when it marched confidently to 4-110, but the glimmer was quickly taken away by Glenroy’s spin star Steve Goodwin, who left a trail of destruction, taking 7-23 off 21.5 overs.
“It was pretty disappointing, but it’s probably the story of the year for us so far,” Allister said.
“Those middle order collapses are just killing us at the moment. We had a pretty good start, we were 4-110 and the next thing you know we’re all out for 136.”
Werribee Centrals were not the first and will certainly not be the last side to fall to the magic of Goodwin, a former sub-district stalwart with Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows, who is wreaking havoc through batting orders across the north-west.
The veteran has taken a mind-boggling 29 wickets at an average of 7.9 in five games … that was his fifth five-wicket haul of the season.
“As soon as he came on, we sort of struggled to play him,” Allister said. “The way he was bowling, he was very crafty.
“The ball was skidding on the wicket and blokes weren’t playing him very well, and getting themselves trapped in front. He was definitely the difference in the game.”
Werribee Centrals is a little downcast to be without a win, but some signs are positive.
A second innings half century to Jordan Birch (51no) was encouraging, while Danny Williams and Agha Adeel have been consistently good at the top of the order. All three have been threatening a game-breaking score without going on with the job.
“People are getting starts, but we need someone to go on and make that big score that will take us home,” Allister said.
A newly constructed team in the off season, Werribee Centrals will take time to mesh, but Allister believes a breakthrough victory is not far off.
“It’s been pretty testing so far, but we’re still a brand new team,” he said. “We’ve only played five games together and, obviously, are a completely different side to last year.
“We’ve just got to keep working hard.”
Werribee Centrals has one last chance for a breakthrough win before Christmas, against Pascoe Vale Hadfield at Galvin Park in a two-dayer starting on Saturday.
