Werribee holds the strongest hand in the race for the last spot in the Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League 2 top four.
The Tigers are inside the four on just goal difference from Melton, but a glance at the remaining fixtures reveals a significant advantage.
With two rounds to go, Melton can only pick up points in one game as it still has a bye to come, and they will go into their last match as underdogs against unbeaten ladder leader Old Xavarians.
On the other hand, the Tigers have two opportunities to pick up the points needed to secure a spot in the finals and will go in as favourites against two bottom-five ranked sides, starting with PEGS on the road on Saturday.
It made the Tigers 3-1 win over Bayside Cougars away on Saturday so vital as it just about snuffed out any hope Melton has going into its last match of the campaign.
“We needed the three points to stay in the four and they done that well,” Tigers coach Les McAlinden told Star Weekly.
“They played well as a group and really stuck in.”
The Tigers goals came through Lisa Ross and mother and daughter combination Lynda and Emma Tivendale.
It was Lynda Tivendale’s sixth goal of the campaign, drawing her level with Laura Baker as the team’s top scorer.
Tanya Walker was a stand-out at full back, both defensively sound and a springboard off the last line.
The Tigers were in full control of the match, apart from a defensive lapse which gifted the Cougars a consolation goal.
“They scored one on us falling asleep,” McAlinden said.
“Apart from that we played well.
“We didn’t try to invent anything, we kept it simple, short and sharp and it paid off.”
The Tigers are one of the form teams in the league with three wins and a draw from their last four outings.
They took a while to get going at the start of the season, but the back half has seen continual improvement.
“Coming into the finals, the girls are starting to click, they’re doing the simple things that we’re asking,” McAlinden said.
“It’s been impressive and hopefully they can continue that for the next two weeks and hopefully reset for finals.
“Like I said at the start, if we get into the finals, anything can happen.”
In men’s Vic League 2, Werribee had a thrilling 5-4 win over St Bedes away on Saturday to all but seal their finals berth.
Sam Huxtable produced a stellar performance in front of goal with a hat-trick, while Aidan Cowie and Luke Simpson also got on the scoresheet.
The Tigers will face the ultimate test on Saturday, an away clash with top-of-the-ladder PEGS, who are yet to taste defeat this season.
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