Tara Murray
Werribee produced its best performance of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west season on Saturday.
Yet to find the form that won them the last two premierships, the Tigers showed some glimpses of what they can do against Donvale.
Tigers captain Tim O’Brien was more than pleased with the way things ended up after day one.
“It was definitely a good day for us,” he said.
“It was definitely a good toss to win, the wicket was soft and green.”
The Tigers needed just 26.4 overs to bowl Donvale out for just 52.
After getting them across the line with the bat last week, James Freeman and Jonathan Burton took five wickets each as the Tigers used just two bowlers.
With plenty of time to bat, the Tigers first aim was to ensure they passed the total with ease.
They did it with only two wickets down.
O’Brien said they then looked at putting themselves in a position to aim for an outright win.
“The first thing was about getting the runs,” he said. “You had to play attacking cricket on that pitch.
“Once we passed the score we decided we wanted to get a lead and half 10 to 12 overs at them at the end of the day.
“We lost a few wickets late chasing quick runs.”
Matthew Dean top scored with 71 at the top of the order.
Donvale will resume at 2-41 on day two having faced 13 overs.
O’Brien said bowling well on day two was the key as they aimed for the whole 10 points.
“We still have eight wickets to get and they still have some good bats,” he said. “The wickets will be better this week to bat on.
“Hopefully we can get the eight wickets and bat well if we have to.”
An outright win at this point of the season would be massive for the Tigers with the closeness of the competition.
Tenth place Endeavour Hills can still make finals if results go its way.
“If we can somehow get an outright win, it guarantees us playing finals,” O’Brien said. “If results go our way we’ll be up the top of the ladder which is where we want to be.”
It was a tough day overall for the Tigers with their second XI fighting back after being bowled out for 140, while the third XI has already lost.
The fourth XI made 220.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing made 224 against Croydon.
Needing a win to ensure they remain inside the top six, the Cats were in a little bit of trouble at 3-44.
The Cats middle and lower order fought back and pushed the score past 200. The Cats lost their last three wickets for two runs to be bowled out with nearly five overs remaining.
Brett Smith and Sanka Abeyruwan top scored with 42 apiece.
