Werribee got a confidence boosting win in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition Shield 1 on Sunday.
Having lost some close matches throughout the season, the Tigers were able to hold their nerve against Melton at Chirnside Park.
Tigers coach Ruby Ruby said it was exciting for the group.
“It was a good win for us,” she said.
“It was a much needed one. We’d had no luck in the last few games so we were looking forward to the match.
“It was nerve-wracking towards the end as it became close.”
Melton batted first and started well as it put on 44 for the opening partnership.
Ruby said the Lions batted well and they could have gone on to make a big score.
She said their fielding put pressure on the batters and they were able to take control.
The Lions made 9-134.
Harkirat kaur Sarkaria took 4-36 for Werribee.
Ruby said chasing that score they felt comfortable.
“I told the girls to grab runs where they can,” she said.
“Don’t take risks as there’s plenty of overs and it’s not a big target.
“It was fantastic and we had a good opening partnership, we were pretty pleased.”
At 1-98 the Tigers were in control.
They lost three quick wickets to make the game a bit closer.
Ruby said they had confidence that Vicki King would be able to guide them home.
“She held her nerve,” she said.
“For us as long as we had wickets in hand we were a chance. There was just pressure on.”
The Tigers hit the winning runs in the 30th over, finishing 4-137.
Raima Bajaj top scored with 44.
The win was the Tigers third for the season.
Ruby said getting wins on the board was already pleasing, but it wasn’t their only focus.
She said they wanted to give everyone a good go ang get what they wanted out of the season.
“I think with our team we have developing players and women playing to have fun,” she said.
“We’ve got mixed skill sets. Winning is not the sole focus.
“We’ve been competitive and sometimes we could have had close games that we thought we could have won had we played our best batters and bowlers but we want to share it around.”
The Tigers sit in 11th spot after 14 rounds. The Tigers are just five points off fifth.
Ruby said with the competition set to have division 1 and division 2 finals there’s still something for them to aim for.
“We’re hoping to get a few more wins and get into the quarter finals.
“It was mean extra games for us which is always good.”
Elsewhere, Point Cook Centrals lost to Youlden Parkville.
Youlden made 7-196 from its overs. Sharvi Bellur took 4-17 for the Sharks.
The Sharks finished 9-70 in reply.
Hareem Fatima was the only batter to reach double figures, finishing with 14.
