Werribee couldn’t have asked for a much better way to break through for its first win of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west season on Saturday.
After dropping the first couple of matches, the Tigers were finally back on their home deck at Chirnside Park in round three.
Facing Donvale in a one-dayer on Saturday, the Tigers put it together firstly with the bat and then the ball to cap off a strong all round performance.
Coach Brad Robertson said it was nice to get that first win on the board and get the monkey off the back in his first year coaching the side.
“It was important but it wasn’t like we were panicking or anything like that,” he said. “We were pretty close in round one and then a bit of a blip in round two.
“We are pretty confident in the squad that we have. Everyone is starting to settle down and start to play their best cricket and get more consistent.”
Robertson said he thought Chirnside Park was a unique ground and one that they played well.
He said they were hoping to make it a really hard place for opposition sides to come to and something they could use to their advantage.
On Saturday, the Tigers won the toss and decided to bat in good conditions.
They made 4-258 from their 45 overs.
All six batters scored at least 18 with Nathan Taylor top scoring with 63.
“The batting was really good,’ Robertson said. “It was good to see Madhur [Ghai] get away and bat really well.
“I think it was really good for him and hopefully it will kick start the rest of his season.”
Robertson said they were able to build some momentum with the bat and took into bowling innings.
They skittled Donvale for just 59 in the 25th over.
Mitchell Cullen took 5-14 off his six overs. He was one of two bowlers that really impressed Robertson.
“It was good for Mitch to get some reward for the hard work,” he said. “As well as Matthew Watt.
“He had a really pre-season but was left out in round one and it’s been a spur for him. He got two wickets in the first over and kicked the boys off.”
Werribee now faces Mt Waverley in another one-dayer this coming Saturday.
Robertson said they were looking like a really good side.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing also returned to the winners list as it accounted for Endeavour Hills.
Endeavour Hills were bowled out for 162 with two overs remaining.
Sai Surapaneni and Abbas Faiyaz took three wickets for the Cats.
Bibek Virk helped guide the Cats to the win, as they finished 3-166 in the 27th over.
Virk made 88 off 73 balls at the top of the order.
The Cats, who sit 2-1, this week face Noble Park.
