Tara Murray
Experience is showing through for Werribee as the two-time reigning champions move back into the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west top six.
After struggling in the earlier parts of the season, the Tigers have won their last four games and are getting on a roll.
On Saturday, they accounted for Altona in the first two-dayer since before COVID-19, winning with one wicket in hand.
While the Tigers are winning, skipper Tim O’Brien knows that they aren’t playing their best cricket. He said experience was paying off for them in tight situations.
“We have won some close games,” he said. “We’re not firing on all stops, but we’re getting over the line in close games.
“Towards the back end our experience is showing through. It was Michael Kelly this week and Jonathon Burton the round before.
“In those situations at the end, the experience helped to get us across the line.”
The Tigers entered day two of their match with the A’s on top.
The A’s were bowled out for just 133 in 57.1 overs on day one. Burton took three wickets.
The Tigers lost two early wickets to be 2-38 at stumps.
Day two belonged to the A’s.
“We had a very good first day,” he said. “We definitely didn’t want to lose two wickets overnight, but we were still in a good position.
“They probably won the second day, with us hitting the winning runs nine down. It was certainly a good game of cricket.”
The Tigers needed four runs for victory when they lost their ninth wicket.
O’Brien said there were a few nervous moments.
“Mitchell [Cullen], who used to play for Altona, came in at number 11 with four overs to go,” he said.
“He was a bit nervous being nine down.”
The Tigers were eventually bowled out for 163.
O’Brien, who was not out over night, top scored with 60, while Kelly made 34 coming in at number 10.
The Tigers now sit in fifth spot after 11 rounds.
O’Brien knows the hard work is only just starting.
“It’s very close,” he said. “Top spot is only three points ahead of us and seventh is three points behind us.
“We need to keep winning to play finals.”
The matches don’t get much bigger than this round, with the Tigers facing local rival Hoppers Crossing.
The Cats sit in fourth spot.
They are coming off a massive win against Williamstown.
Needing 296 for victory, the Cats finished 7-297, hitting the winning runs with eight balls remaining.
Sanka Abeyruwan top scored with 71.
O’Brien said they were looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s a big game, it’s the local rivalry,” he said. “It’s normally a good game of cricket.
“They’re coming off a big win and they’re usually around the mark for finals at this time of year.
“We have got them earlier in the season the last few years, this time we get them in the back end.”
