WERRIBEE will meet Melton in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association grand final after thrashing Elsternwick by nine wickets.
The Tigers were forced to battle the elements early in the match with the entire first day’s play lost because of constant rain.
Players returned on Sunday for a 45 over a side one-day fixture and it was the Tigers who got the early jump after losing the toss and being forced to bowl.
Werribee ripped through the Elsternwick top order with Jake Purton taking three crucial wickets while Matt Thomson kept the runs to a minimum.
There would be no fight back throughout the innings for the batting side with the combination of tight bowling and high class fielding leading to a below par total of just 97.
In reply, Werribee had no issue chasing down the runs, reaching 1/100 in the 22nd over to secure the win and its place in the biggest game of the year.
Matthew Dean was outstanding with the bat on his way to 51 while Shaun Dean chipped in with a well-made 23.
Werribee president Ivo Havard was rapt with the all round performance of his side.
“We really outplayed Elsternwick today,” he said.
“There was nothing wrong with the wicket and nothing wrong with the ground.
“It was a good day and we played pretty darn well.
“We bowled well, fielded well and certainly batted well being 1/100 in the chase.”
The Tigers will meet Melton in this week’s grand final after they progressed as the higher ranked side on the ladder following a draw with Caulfield.
Last time the pair met Werribee was victorious by eight wickets.
“They have been the benchmark for a number of years and they are a really good cricket club and have a great first XI side,” Havard said.
“We are on the rise and we will have a good go at it.
“Now we are down to two sides, we can start to say that we are going to be in with every chance.”
