Westmeadows knows everything needs to go right in the run home if it’s to sneak into the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finals.
The Warriors sit in sixth spot after nine rounds, 12 points behind fourth placed Airport West St Christophers.
The three teams behind the Warriors are also equal on points with Sunshine United the only side not in finals contention.
Having been in every match this season, the Warriors feel confident if they can make the top four they would be in the mix.
Captain-coach Donovan Pell said they were still hopeful of making the top four.
“It’s pretty close and we are in the mix with Keilor which has a big run chase against St Albans and Airport West which needs to pass SUnshine United’s score.
“We are still hopeful we’ll win at least two, three of our last games to put us in a good position.”
Pell said there had been a couple of matches that they know could prove costly in the finals race.
The first was the big loss to Aberfeldie where they almost conceded first innings points on day one.
The other was a final ball loss to reigning premiers Deer Park.
“You take those two games and we are right in it.” he said. “There’s so many close teams.
“We still have a young group and we’re still getting to know each other game week in, week out.
“We’re improving week by week and we’re not just focusing on 2025.”
The Warriors first task to stay in finals contention is against Craigieburn.
After winning the toss, the Eagles were bowled out for 206 in the 75th over at Willowbrook Reserve on Saturday.
Pell said it was a pretty reasonable score to hold them to.
“It could have been 150 or it could have been 250,” he said. “At one point we had a couple of half chances.
“We ended up getting four wickets in next to nothing at the end of the day to keep them to 206. I would have taken that at the start.”
Nathan Pappin top scored with 76 for the Eagles at the top of the order.
Billy Kosteas was the pick of the bowlers with 4-61 off 24.4 overs.
Pell was full of praise for the spinner.
“He has come up through the junior program and played a lot in the seconds. He has shown he certainly belongs in senior division,” he said.
“He did a good job to minimise Craigieburn.”
The Warriors faced two overs at the end of the day. Night watchman Jake De Gabrielle didn’t survive, with the Warriors to resume at 1-0.
It’ll be a big week for the Warriors who have won through to the T20 finals.
They face Maribyrnong Park St Marys on Tuesday night in a knockout final.
“I have never played them so it is a bit of a unknown,” Pell said. “We’ve played some good cricket on Tuesday nights and that’s come from the last couple of years of knowing our game.”
