Werribee’s finals hopes in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west group suffered a dose of double jeopardy on Saturday.
The Tigers could not hold up their own end of the bargain, going down to Brunswick by four wickets in a one-day game at Gillon Oval on Saturday.
Even if the Tigers had beaten the Wicks, it would have been fruitless for their finals prospects, with Yarraville knocking them out of the race with victory over Taylors Lakes.
It was a bittersweet season for Werribee.
The Tigers were proud of their unbeaten record between rounds five to 12, but four consecutive losses at the start of the summer came back to bite them.
They managed to fight their way back to sit in the top six entering the penultimate round, but a wash-out against Taylors Lakes saw them displaced and they never returned.
On Saturday, Werribee posted 9-166 off its 45 overs on the road at Brunswick. Tim O’Brien produced a captain’s knock of 63.
The Tigers suffered a lower order collapse, losing 4-4 at one stage.
Brunswick passed the target six down with 27 balls to spare.
In Victorian Turf Cricket Association, Werribee Centrals had a strong finish to the north-west A1 season, beating Glenroy outright at Sewell Reserve.
The Centurions managed to wrap up first innings points after defending 122.
They bowled Glenroy out for 72, taking a 50 run lead into the changeover after a six-wicket haul from Ashley Appleby.
Werribee Centrals posted 119 in their second dig with Daniel Williams leading the way with 31. That gave the Centurions a 169-run lead, which they defended impeccably, bowling Glenroy out for 82.
This time, it was Luke Allister who did the damage, snaring 5-12.
In north west B1, Point Cook claimed a 34-run first-innings victory over Williamstown Imperials at Fearon Reserve South, but still missed out on the finals.
The Warriors declared on 9-157 with Brad Broughton top-scoring with 38.
The Imperials could only manage 123, skittled by some good bowling from Scott Maloney (4-14) and David Hicks (3-34).
Wyndhamvale, which posted just 80 in the first innings, lost by 96 runs to Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve North.
The Falcons batted for time in their second dig, advancing to 6-151 before stumps were drawn on their no-finals season.
Seabrook clinched top spot with a 53-run win over Grand United at JR Parsons Reserve on Saturday. Dhavel Patel was brilliant for the Saints with 53 and 3-21. Seabrook will host Gellibrand in a two-day semi-final at Bruce Comben Reserve this weekend.
Bellbridge went down by 31 runs to Melton Centrals at Blackwood Reserve.
