PANTHERS’ faithful are daring to dream after a Ben Threlfall century sparked a heartbeat in West Warrnambool’s hopes of hijacking fourth place.
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West Warrnambool overcame rain delays – which forced umpires to wipe nine overs from the game – to chase down Wesley-CBC’s 207 run total on the last ball of the day.
The Panthers’ win threw further congestion to the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association’s ladder, with five teams now within just three points of each other in the race for fourth place.
West Warrnambool could snatch fourth if both Dennington and Wesley-CBC lose to Woodford and Allansford respectively, while a Panthers win over Nestles would also be needed.
West coach Alastair Templeton said the victory had gifted his team motivation to train at high intensity for the last fortnight of the season.
“We’re turning to train with a purpose of trying to get ourselves the chance to play finals,” he told The Standard.
“We need Allansford and Woodford to win the last game to keep us in the hunt. We still have to take care of Nestles though, that’s what we have to look at.
“They are a good team with some good juniors and experienced players.
“We have to worry about what we’re doing. We can’t be trying to change our plans to worry about anything else.”
Templeton, a first year mentor at 24 years of age, hailed Threlfall’s ton as “unbelievable”.
“It was unreal. Unbelievable. He barely gave them a chance,” Templeton said.
FAST FACTS ABOUT WEST WARRNAMBOOL VS WESLEY-CBC:
- Rain forces umpires to push back over count, West are given just 71 overs to make 208 runs
- Ben Threlfall bats the entire innings en route to score of 105. Hits a six to bring up the score
- Alastair Templeton, Sam Younghusband and Alex O’Connor produce scores in the 20s to partner Threlfall
- West’s victory means they, along with Dennington, are a chance to steal Wesley-CBC’s fourth place
“It’s kind of been the story of our season that batsmen can get starts but they haven’t been able to get even 50, 70, or even 80.
“Innings of 30 and 40 are very handy but you need to have a big score to build the team innings around, like we did with Ben, when you’re chasing 200-odd.”
He said his side had spoken specifically about the need to be patient at the crease and was beginning to understand the two-day format.
Elsewhere, a Jimmy Elford-led Russells Creek downed Nirranda at Port Campbell.
East Warrnambool toppled Merrivale after 76 overs, and Woodford restricted Nestles with the ball to win.
Dennington kept its finals hopes alive with a win over Allansford.
