Tara Murray
Werribee didn’t look out of place in its first season in the Cricket Victorian Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield (3) T20.
After switching competitions in the off season from a social competition in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association, the Tigers finished the T20 part of the season in fifth spot with two wins from five completed matches.
Only the top two sides go through to finals.
Werribee coach Ivo Havard said it was a really good experience for the side.
“In the end we had a couple of wins and we could have had a couple more,” he said.
“We had the talent. It was about getting it together on the day. Some of the more experienced sides have gone through to the grand final.”
Harvard said the playing group did really well at this level and will take a lot of learnings from it.
He said they had five or six women in the side, with a number of young stars also getting their opportunities.
“We have a lot of juniors coming through,” he said. “A lot have repo careers already and the future is bright for us.
“The depth is there with the players at Werribee and Werribee Junior Cricket, the talent is second to none in the region, it’s always strong.”
On Sunday, the Tigers finished the T20 season with a loss to Melton Centrals. It was the only match of the division to go ahead following heavy rain, with Centrals falling short on percentage of a grand final spot despite the win.
The Tigers made 4-107 from its overs with Gurveer Padam top scoring with 50 not out.
Centrals hit the winning runs with one ball to spare, finishing 5-110.
The cricket is far from over for the Tigers, who will compete in the one-day competition which starts next month.
Teams play 35 overs and innings, which will be a first for the Tigers. Harvard said the two different formats was one of the reasons they made the switch to the competition in the off season.
“We’ve got another nine games,” he said. “ It will be a little bit different and will be a good challenge for us.
“It’s good for the girls to play the longer format and hopefully we will go well.
“I’m not sure how we will go in the 35 over games. The commitment and the longer days will be a challenge and will test the younger players.”
