Tara Murray
Werribee survived a couple of nervous moments to win through to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west semi finals.
Facing Box Hill, the Tigers set the game up on day one, but the game went deep into day two as Box Hill formed some late partnerships to put the pressure back on the Tigers.
The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat on their home deck.
They made 9-271 from their overs after some late hitting.
Tigers skipper Tim O’Brien said they would have taken that score every day of the week.
Matthew Dean made 100 off 102 balls, while his brother Shaun Dean made 53. O’Brien chipped in with 56.
“It was good to get 270, it’s a good total and it’s hard to chase down,” he said.
“Having those two [Dean brothers] at the top of the order is really good. Matty has had an interrupted year and he has come right at the right time of year.
“Shaun hasn’t batted a lot in recent weeks and he was raring to go. The two put on a nice partnership leading into the tea break.”
After being 2-189, the wickets started to fall late for the Tigers. O’Brien said they had attacked trying to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“We did have a batting collapse late trying to get quick runs,” he said.
“They bowled really well at that part of the day. They were bowling wide and it was hard to hit down the ground and the shots were just popping up.
“Michael Kelly got 16 off eight balls to get us past 270.”
Box Hill managed to put together a few partnerships to keep the pressure on the Tigers. Box Hill was 6-150 at one stage.
O’Brien said they had to work hard to get the job done.
“They batted terrifically,” he said.
“They had a partnership in which they were six down and they were still in the game at that point. We were able to stem the flow and were able to take a few wickets.”
Box Hill was eventually bowled out for 224 in the 74th over.
Jonathan Burton took four wickets for the Tigers.
The Tigers now face Mt Waverley for a spot in the grand final. Spotswood faces Williamstown in the other semi final.
Mt Waverley beat Williamstown in the first week of finals.
“We played them a couple of weeks ago in a one-day game,” O’Brien said;
“The two-day game is different and they were missing a few players. It should be a good game.”
The Tigers second XI is also through to the semi finals, while the fourth XI is through to a grand final.
Their third XI was knocked out. The Tigers are one of only a couple sides to still have three teams left at this point of the season.
Hoppers Crossing fourth XI also won through to a grand final on the weekend.
