Matt Grose fires for Werribee as the Tigers smash Kew

Werribee has sent a reminder of its strength to the rest of the Subbies competition with a monster win over Kew, driven by an off-season recruit and key changes to the batting order.

Shaun Dean was at the crease to end the game . Picture: Andy Brownbill

Werribee couldn’t be happier to have Matt Grose in its ranks.

An off-season recruit from Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association rivals Yarraville, Grose is starting to find his best form for the Tigers.

On Saturday, he took a season best 4-22 as Werribee routed fellow North-West group premiership contenders for just 95 before going onto secure a eight-wicket win.

Grose claimed Kew’s first four wickets for just 10 runs before the hosts eventually found themselves reeling at 6-11.

Captain David Wildsmith’s unbeaten 51 helped them to fall just short of triple figures as a team.

Werribee captain Tim O’Brien was strong in his praise for Grose.

“He bowled superbly and really set the game up for us,” he said.

“Coming into the season, we knew he was going to be a quality addition for the group having played against him before. Having another experienced cricketer out there has only given us more to work with the ball.

“Michael Kelly grabbed three wickets as well and Jono Burton snagged two as well. I don’t think we could have asked for a better start than we did.”

The visitors were comfortable in the run chase, chasing down their target inside 25 overs.

Adam Alifraco led the way with 41 runs off 79 balls while fellow opening partner Joshua Cowell hit 35 off 54.

O’Brien and Shaun Dean eventually finished unbeaten.

Alifraco had been promoted to the top of the order for the run chase.

“We batted poorly the week before and didn’t make enough runs,” O’Brien said.

“With James Freeman unavailable, we wanted to lengthen our batting order as much as we could and that’s where Adam came in. Josh actually retired hurt in the last game and didn’t come back in until nine. It was good for those boys to get some runs for us.”

Werribee’s win saw it move within a point of second place Kew.

But there is a logjam below the Tigers with just seven points separating second and ninth.

They’ll next face St Bernard’s.