Tara Murray
Werribee put together one of its best batting performances in years to defeat local rival Hoppers Crossing on Saturday in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
While at different points on the ladder, the match between the two Wyndham sides continues to be one of the biggest of the season for both sides.
The Tigers showed why they will play finals in a dominant display.
The Tigers made 6-279 from their 45 overs before bowling the Cats out for 136.
Tigers skipper Tim O’Brien said every time this play the Cats they need to be playing their best cricket.
“It was a good performance,” he said. “We batted particularly well, we batted aggressively.
“To get that score and then bowl them out for what we did was really good.
“We went at over six runs an over with the bat. I think it’s our biggest one-day score in my time at the club.”
Nathan Taylor top scored with 95. O’Brien said Taylor had the opportunity to get that int he final over.
“He needed five runs of the final over, he had enough balls.
“He tried to hit one for a two and hit it too hard and straight to the fielder.”
Jonathan Freeman also had a good innings, making 72 not out.
O’Brien said they didn’t get off to the best start with the ball in the first over, but from there they were able to get constant wickets.
Adam Alifraco was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets.
The win is the Tigers sixth in a row and has moved the side to second on the ladder.
The lowest the Tigers can finish is third, with a home final in the first week of the finals already wrapped up.
The Tigers face bottom side Melton on Saturday in the final round.
O’Brien said the key for the side this season had an even spread across the board.
“We lost the first game back after Christmas, but we haven’t lost a game since.
“At the start of the season we didn’t play our best cricket. We feel like we’re building.
“We’ve got a pretty good side and we’re getting contributions from all the players. We haven’t had someone make 700-800 runs this season.
“Someone else always steps up.”
It’ll be a big finals series for the Tigers, with their second, third and fourth XIs all sitting on top of the ladder.
In other results, Spotswood kept its finals hopes alive with an upset win against top side Caulfield.
Caulfield was restricted to 9-141, with the Woodsmen making 5-142 in reply.
Spotswood, which sits seventh, needs to win its final round match against Hoppers Crossing and hope that Caulfield beats Malvern to make finals.
Altona and Yarraville also had wins on Saturday, beating Taylors Lakes and Malvern respectively.
Williamstown lost to Elsternwick, while Melton remains winless after losing to Point Cook.
Ormond and Moorabbin were the other winners.
