By LIAM TWOMEY
WERRIBEE suffered its first Victorian Sub District Cricket Association loss of the season following a 32-run defeat at the hands of Oakleigh.
After sending Oakleigh in to bat on day one, the Tigers were set 274 runs for victory.
Despite looking like a tough ask on paper, the chase got off to a strong start, thanks to the Werribee top five.
Opening pair David Wolfe and Matthew Dean added 58 for the first wicket before Wolfe was dismissed for 31.
That wicket did nothing to slow the momentum as Tigers captain Shaun Dean kept the scoreboard moving.
The pattern of a wicket to the bowling side, followed by a rebuild from the batting side continued deep into the afternoon.
However, with the score at 4/210 and Werribee just 64 runs away from victory, the Oakleigh bowlers made their move.
The Tigers lost 6/31 to be bowled out for 241 in the 71st over.
“It was a pretty disappointing finish,” Dean said.
“We probably couldn’t have been in a better position at 4/210, needing 60 with six wickets in hand and one set batsman at the crease and then it was a massive collapse.
“It was quite frustrating to be sitting in the stands watching it all unfold when we looked to have the game done and dusted.”
For Werribee, the flurry of dismissals left Tim O’Brien stranded at the crease on 69 not out.
O’Brien was the Tigers leading run scorer with Matthew Dean the next best with 52.
Of the Tigers’ bottom six batsmen, only one (Kyle Andrews) made it to double figures.
“When you get on winning streaks, people say you need to lose one to keep yourself in check,” Dean said.
“At the same time, I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t have won. It would have been a different story if we had been skittled for 200 or 150 and been in no position to win the game.
“We were in a very commanding position to win that game of cricket, and it was only through lack of application that we didn’t win the game.
“I don’t think I buy into it that we needed to lose one, but it does put things back into perspective and we will have a look at where we are at and who is doing what.”
In what will be the final match before finals, the Tigers will take on fellow top three side Bayswater this week.
