EAST Warrnambool-YCW captain Mark Murphy says his men have done everything possible to snatch a Warrnambool and District Cricket Association finals berth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Broncos are one of four sides chasing second spot in the WDCA Merri conference, but are relying on results to go their way in the final round to rise from fifth.
They are in control of their clash against second-ranked Port Fairy after day one, with Sanjaya Chathuranga’s half-century guiding them to 8-231.
But they need Woodford and West Warrnambool to win their respective matches — a scenario which remains a possibility entering day two.
Woodford has 9-194 on the board against Wesley-CBC. West Warrnambool made 110 and reduced Russells Creek to 4-36 by stumps.
Murphy was pleased with the Broncos’ batting display on Saturday. Their score was a season-best while they batted out 80 overs for the first time.
“We spoke about always starting off steady and building an innings. If it’s 40 overs down and we’re not even 100, that’s a good position for us,” he said.
“The runs get easier after the tea break, especially batting down at the Jones. It’s taken us the year to figure out how to bat down there.
“But the last two games we’ve batted 79 overs against West and made 150, which I was happy with. This week we were able to capitalise and bat the full 80.”
But the defendable target would count for little if the bowling attack didn’t back up the batsmen, Murphy said.
“We’re not going to look too far ahead of ourselves. Before you know it, Port Fairy can be 0-100 off 20 overs and we’ve thrown our hard work away,” he said.
“We’ve got to work hard. We take the mentality that we’re always defending 120 into each game.”
Opener Aaron Williams looms the major weapon for Port Fairy with 576 runs for the season. Brad Parsons and Shaun Ploenges also have 200-plus to their names.
They’ll face up to evergreen East seamer Jason Alberts, fresh from a six-wicket haul against West.
Tom Moloney and Tim Ryan provide change options while spinners Tharanga Fernando and Chathuranga have the ability to stem the flow of runs.
“Creek still have runs to get and it’s always hard chasing. And you never know what’s going to happen with the percentage,” Murphy said.
“We’ve given ourselves every chance to make finals. We’ve got to attack this week and show we are a better side than Port Fairy.
“Even if we happen to win and don’t make finals, I think we’re one of the better sides for the year.
“We didn’t have Sanjaya for half the year — that probably cost us a couple of wins.
“If we had him early in the year we’d be among the top two teams with Woodford. But I’d rather be in our position than Port Fairy.
“Winning the toss last week and sending us in to bat on a pretty good wicket was a big decision. I don’t know what the theory was there.”
Murphy, who will remain in the Broncos’ top job next season, said he believed the club had a bright future regardless of what happens this weekend.
“Everyone’s attitude has switched around. It’s all positive. It’s all about building the culture. The teams with the best culture succeed more,” he said.