Werribee finally put out the batting performance it was seeking for in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west on Saturday.
The Tigers had yet to bat out their 80 overs this season and it was a key focus against Melton in their two-day match.
The Tigers lost the toss and were sent in on Saturday at MacPherson Park.
They finished day one at 6-285.
Tigers captain Tim O’Brien said they were really pleased with that performance, which was their highest score for the season so far.
“We hadn’t batted the 80 overs yet,” he said. “It was pleasing to bat through the day and build some partnerships.
“We had been losing clumps of wickets and the main focus was when we lost a wicket to consolidate and get back to building partnerships.”
The key partnership for the Tigers on Saturday was the second wicket between Matthew Burton and O’Brien.
O’Brien made 128 with Burton making 74 as they put their team on top of the contest.
“Adam [Alfraco] was run out early. Me and Matt put focus on getting through to the tea break,” O’Brien.
“Being one down at tea we could accelerate the run scoring after tea. We did lose a few wickets going for runs.
“It was a slow outfield so we’re happy to get those runs.”
O’Brien said Burton had been their form batter of recent weeks with three straight decent scores and was enjoying the extra responsibility with the departure of other members of the squad.
He said for him personally it was good to get some runs after a couple of lean weeks.
“It’s been a while since I scored a 100,” he said. ‘It was good to get it.”
The Tigers will now bowl this Saturday as they aim for their second win of the season. The Lions are yet to taste success.
O’Brien said it would be a good challenge this week as they look to pick up 10 wickets.
“You have to bowl well to win games,” he said. “It’s a close competition.
“We need to bowl well and set good fields. I think the fielding will be really important and build some pressure.
“We need to take their opportunities when they come.”
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing is in a good position in its match against Malvern in their match.
The Cats won the toss and sent Malvern in on its home deck.
The Cats got some early wickets before Malvern fought back in the middle of the innings.
Once the Cats broke through they were able to run through the tail and bowl Malvern out for 179.
Shijit Chandran was the pick of the bowlers, taking 6-52.
