CRICKET Albury-Wodonga coach Trent Ball has sent a warning to the rest of Division 4, saying the Border side is yet to reach top form.
CAW made it two from two at Melbourne Country Week yesterday, holding on for a crucial 37-run win against Warragul at Bundoora.
It can secure a spot in Friday’s final if it beats the only other unbeaten side, Central Gippsland, in a crucial clash at Ormond today.
Ball said the only missing ingredient so far had been a complete batting performance.
“We just haven’t clicked with our batting yet,” Ball said.
“Look out once we get it right.
“We haven’t played our best cricket but we’ve got two wins.
“Hopefully we will peak at the right time.
“Tomorrow is like a semi-final.”
Tallangatta all-rounder Paul Coughlin was the hero yesterday, his five-wicket haul restricting Warragul to just 101 in its pursuit of 139 for victory.
In difficult batting conditions, CAW was sent in and soon found itself 4-66, but Greg Daniel (44), Ball (40) and Robbie Jackson (30) helped the side push the total past 100.
It was then time for the Coughlin Show.
The young Englishman took the first three wickets to have Warragul reeling at 3-34 before countryman James Weighell took care of the middle order, finishing with 2-13.
North Albury skipper Daniel (3-30) capped off a solid all-round performance by cleaning up the tail.
Ball said the bowlers carried the side.
“Coggo was too good for them and Weighell was really good,” he said.
“Everyone that bowled kept pressure on.
“It was hard to score and we kept taking wickets.
“We took a couple of screamers in the field which helped.”
Ball said there was plenty in the pitch for the bowlers.
“It was doing a bit most of the day,” he said.
“It was an uncovered pitch so it was a bit wet and green.
“We would have bowled if we won the toss.”
In yesterday’s other game in Division 4, Central Gippsland defeated Shepparton by eight runs in a thriller at Malvern Oval.