THE Werribee Centrals have enjoyed a summer of cricket worth savouring.
On Saturday they booked themselves a spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s West B1 grand final against St Andrews and have every right to believe they are warm favourites.
That is because the Centrals, after years of struggling for a win, have remarkably played an entire season of cricket without losing a single game of cricket.
The Centrals booked their place in next week’s decider after smashing Sunshine YCW by more than 200 runs.
In yet another stunning and dominant display, the home team was spurred by a massive unbeaten 133 from Blair Hemmingson and a more than handy 97 from Dean Giarrusso.
Recently speaking to Star about his side’s remarkable success this summer, captain-coach Philip Crea said finding the right balance amongst the squad was the key to the sharp improvement.
“We knew we had to lift and we’ve added a couple of quality players into the side,” Crea said.
“We knew we had a couple of younger players at the club already, so we thought the new additions would add something and and so far it’s proved that we have got the balance right.”
Confidence was the other issue that haunted the club, but Crea, in his first year as coach, can see the new lease on life his side now has.
“I went and watched a few games last year and obviously there was a bit of talent, and with just a bit of direction the boys are playing good cricket at the moment,” he said.
“They’ve now got the belief to win games of cricket again, and we’ve made them believe in themselves and we can see the rewards on the ground.”
A win over the next fortnight will see the club move into the North A1 Division next season.
