By Lance Jenkinson
In a game of musical chairs between four clubs for the prized top three spots in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association finals, Werribee suddenly finds itself as the odd team out.
The Tigers have slipped to fourth on the ladder behind western rivals Williamstown, Altona and Yarraville as a result of the penultimate round shuffle at the top.
A disappointing six-wicket loss to Balwyn at Chirnside Park on Saturday has seen the Tigers pay a hefty price with their home final berth now in a rival team’s hands.
Winning the toss and batting, Werribee could not conjure up enough runs on a difficult track for batting.
The Tigers went at a tick of three runs an over for their 6-137 off their 45 overs.
Shaun Dean was impressive at the top of the order with 34, but could not go on with it.
Matthew Gudde (48) and James Freeman (24) worked hard in the middle order.
Try as they might, it was simply not enough for the Tigers bowlers to defend.
Werribee fought hard with the ball until the bitter end.
It took Balwyn 43.1 overs to finally pass the target with 11 balls to spare.
Bradley Apps (2-23), Jonathan Burton (1-22) and Jack Budd (1-24) gave it their all, but it was just too small to defend.
For Werribee to break back into the top three, it will need to beat ladder leader Williamstown and hope that Altona or Yarraville are upset by sides below them on the ladder.
If not, all is not lost for the Tigers, but their path to a premiership will be much harder from fourth.
