It will be a season-defining Saturday for contenders in the penultimate round of the VTCA west A1.
Only seven premiership points separates second to eighth on the ladder, and only four teams qualify for the finals, so ‘do-or-die’ time is now.
Werribee Centrals is in the middle of the scrum, needing to scrounge victory or face an uphill task. The Centurions are locked in a tantalising battle with Sunshine Heights away at Ainsworth Reserve.
They made 155, below par for most sides, but not for the Centurions, which has a bowling attack strong enough to defend a small score.
Centurions’ bowlers have already ripped into the Heights top-order, leaving them in trouble at 4-35.
Another team in that seven-team finals race is Wyndham Vale. The Falcons succeeded in part one of the mission at home against second-placed St Andrews on Saturday. They rolled the Saints for 181 and began their chase confidently to be 0-13 at stumps.
In west B1, there is also a logjam mid-ladder, but with less teams involved. Eight points separate third to seventh, with Seabrook and Point Cook in the mix.
Seabrook made an impressive 227 against Williamstown Imperials, which were 1-2 at stumps. Point Cook is seventh, and requires 233 in a must-win clash against West Newport at Saltwater Reserve. Come 6pm Saturday, the finals race for VTCA’s west groups will be a lot clearer.
