By Tara Murray
Werribee’s finals hopes remain alive in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
The Tigers know the equation is simple for them, they need to keep winning and hope results go their way.
With three rounds remaining, the Tigers sit in 10th spot. They are nine points outside the top six.
Captain Tim O’Brien said they know what they need to do for the rest of the season.
“We’re still in the same position, we have to win every game,” he said.”Every game is a mini final at the moment.
“The guys are doing really well.”
The Tigers on Saturday accounted for Port Melbourne.
Werribee had made 9-265 on day one of the match with Jack Waugh top scoring with 61.
O’Brien said to get the score past 200 was massive considering they were in trouble at 4-30.
“Even the last wicket partnership put on 45 to get us over 250 which can be a bit of a barrier for opposition sides.
“We were really pleased to get that score.”
Werribee’s bowlers then did the job on Saturday to bowl Port Melbourne out for 170 in the 72nd over.
O’Brien said it was a really good bowling performance.
“We started really well with Jono Burton bowling fantastic,” he said. “All the bowlers did a really good job.”
Burton finished with three wickets, while O’Brien and Adam Alifraco took two wickets each for the Tigers.
The result makes it three wins in a row for the Tigers, with only one loss after the Christmas break.
O’Brien said the group was starting to get consistency and it was showing in the results.
“We’ve played with each other a bit more,” he said. “We’re in a bit better position.
“Our seconds and thirds are both on top and our fourths had an outright win and moved into finals contention.
“What is the most pleasing thing is the twos are so strong that those guys who are coming up this year… There’s pressure on for spots.”
The Tigers face Spotswood in a Saturday-Sunday clash this weekend.
The Woodsmen sit in seventh, also just outside the top six.
O’Brien said they were just focused on keeping on winning and keeping their finals hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing cemented its spot in the top six with victory against Taylors Lakes.
The Lions resumed at 2-4 in reply to the Cats’ 172.
The Cats bowlers were on top all day on Saturday and bowled the Lions out for 89.
Brett Smith and Harshit Takkar took five wickets each for the Cats.
The Cats now sit in second spot, three points off top. They are also 12 points clear of 12th spot.
Hoppers Crossing faces Port Melbourne in a two-dayer this weekend.
