By Ewen McRae
A captain’s knock from Tim O’Brien has guided Werribee to its first win over Taylors Lakes and its first of the season.
After the Lions got off to a strong start in their sub-district south-west first XI cricket match, Werribee’s slow bowlers gained control of the game through the middle of the day to restrict the home side to 9-160 from its 45 overs.
Then O’Brien’s unbeaten 80 helped his side grab a vital six points.
O’Brien said it was vital that his side not drop its first two games of the season.
“It was pretty important that we got on the board with a W after losing round one,” he said.
“We thought 160 was a bit under par after the start they got, but the wicket was breaking up so it was hard to score on if you bowled well.
“It was a hard wicket to start on, so it was important once you got in that you stayed there and did the job – so personally, that was pleasing to do that.”
The day began well for the Lions, with Michael Brne and Chris Marr getting off to a strong start after the home side won the toss and elected to bat.
Brne was particularly aggressive on anything loose, hitting nine boundaries on his way to 50 off 45 balls before he was the first to go with the Lions on 69.
Marr was more watchful at the other end, but when Vishesh Bansal (6) was dismissed, and Marr (34 off 76 balls) was trapped in front, the home side’s innings started to lose momentum.
Werribee’s spinners dried up the runs through the middle of the innings, with the Lions unable to pierce the field or use the fast outfield to full effect.
Kamal Guraya (16 off 64 balls) struggled to turn over the strike, while Nipun Sumanasinghe’s 26 was the final score in double figures as Werribee’s bowlers ran through the middle and lower orders.
Photo Gallery: Taylors Lakes vs Werribee
From 4-132, the Lions slumped to 8-148 as opening bowler Bradley Apps (3-47) returned to tidy up the tail and O’Brien (2-27) did his
bit.
The chase began with Andrew Ford and Shaun Dean, who laid a solid platform with a composed 26-run partnership.
Ford falling for 18 brought O’Brien to the crease.
He proceeded to turn the game in the visitors’ favour with some fluent strokeplay and smart running.
Despite losing Dean (14) and Adam Alifraco (7) with the job only half done, the combination of the Werribee skipper and Chris Hennessy
(34 not out) was too much for the Lions’ bowlers.
After a horror start to last summer, O’Brien said there was a more positive vibe around the group early in the new season.
“After starting last year 0-5, it’s good to get on the board early this time,” he said. “We actually had five wins for the club this week, so there’s a really good vibe around the club at the moment.”
MORE VSDCA NEWS
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www.starweekly.com.au/sports/taylors-lakes-caught-in-the-spin/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/williamstown-bursting-with-confidence/
