It was hard work for Werribee on the weekend but it did enough to come away with the win against Taylors Lakes in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
With finals spots on the line, the Tigers knew victory against the struggling Lions was important in the context of their season.
Captain Tim O’Brien said they made hard work of the game, needing to go deep in their bag of tricks,
The Lions batted first, bowled out for 228 in the 75th over.
O’Brien admits it wasn’t their best bowling performance.
“We had then 4-30 and were pretty much on top,” he said. “Their number five played a terrific innings and took it to us.
“He batted brilliantly and we didn’t bat particularly well.
“We were under a bit of pressure, but were able to get momentum back on our terms. We brought it back and it looked like we would roll them for under 200, but they made 228 which was a competitive score.”
James Freeman and Michael Kelly took three wickets each for the Tigers.
It was a less than ideal start for the Tigers with the bat, as they were in trouble at 3-34.
The Tigers batting depth was needed as they finished 6-239.
O’Brien said they knew they had batters there to get the job done.
“We had to bat well, but were 3-30 odd,” he said. “We had a bit of a partnership before a couple of wickets had us 5-150.
“James Freeman and Jonothan Burton got us over the line. James played out of his skin to get us over the line.”
Freeman finished 100 not out off 102 balls. Burton finished 12 off 63 balls.
The win was vital for the Tigers with 10 teams entering the round still in the finals race. Mathematically all 10 teams could still make finals.
The Tigers sit in fourth spot, equal on points with the two teams above them. But they are only a game ahead of seventh placed Balwyn.
O’Brien said they need to just keep winning to keep their hopes of a third straight title alive.
The side will be boosted by the return of Shaun Dean, who missed the game against the Lions due to a wedding.
His brother Matthew had his first bat on return from injury on Sunday, with O’Brien saying he will be better for it
The Tigers this week face Donvale in the last of the two-dayers.
Hoppers Crossing remains in the top six despite a loss to Spotswood.
The ladder-leading Woodsmen made 9-298 with Ross Horkings making a second straight century.
Sanka Abeyruwan was the pick of the bowlers for the Cats, with six wickets.
After losing an early wicket, the Cats were able to get some partnerships going with Simon Lambert the back bone.
When Lambert went for 123 it had it hard for the Cats, who were bowled out for 257.
