Werribee Centrals pulls off a Houdini-like escape

Rahmatullah Khwaja had a day out with the bat on Saturday. Picture Damjan Janevski

Werribee Centrals have produced an incredible turnaround to finish the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-west A1 season on a winning note.

The Centurions were beaten on first innings by Altona Roosters on day one, but fought back on the second day to produce a stunning outright win at Galvin Park on Saturday.

Having made just 95 in their first dig, Centrals trailed by 56 runs on first innings after the Roosters declared at 6-151.

A sporting declaration gave the Centurions hope. They recovered from a dire 5-6 to post an unbelievable 263 in 46.1 overs for a lead of 207 runs.

Batting at No.7, Rahmatullah Khwaja had not made a century for the Centurions this season. This time out, he unleashed his full array of shots to make an out-of-the-blue 158.

All that Joel Torr (25), Daniel Williams (23) and Ashley Appleby (26) had to do at the other end was turn the strike over to Khwaja.

Nor was that all from Khwaja, who snared four quick wickets as the Roosters were bowled out for 166.

It’s been a frustrating season at times for Werribee Centrals, who were in danger of relegation for most of the way.

But it was a mostly new squad that was assembled by the Centurions, one that will no doubt be better off for the season together.

In north-west B1, Wyndhamvale was beaten outright by a merciless St Andrews Pascoe Vale at Wyndhamvale Reserve.

It was a game the Falcons would rather forget, with the exception of some individual showings from captain Craig Duff, who made 47 in his first dig, and opening bowler Ben Funnell, who took 5-59.

The Falcons have avoided relegation by 10 points.

Point Cook has also endured a tough season, finishing a spot above Wyndhamvale.

The Warriors ended the season with a 21-run victory over Maribyrnong St Marys at the Monk Oval on Saturday.