Nestles hold on to score a dramatic victory over Port Fairy

Factory held on to record a dramatic two-run victory over Port Fairy on Saturday, scoring their second straight victory after starting the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association division one season with a three-game losing streak.

Thanks to a half-century from Jake Hetherington, Nestles set Port Fairy a total of 115 after being sent into bat in the first game at Reid Oval for the summer.

The Pirates were closing in on victory but a freak catch from Wil Hinkley, who held onto the final wicket between his legs, sealed the win for the hosts.

Strauch hoped his side's momentum would play a part in helping it overcome Russells Creek and Brierly-Christ Church in its next two fixtures.

"We know what we have got in the shed but it takes a bit of momentum and a bit of confidence and we have two big games against sides I think are the yardsticks of the competition," he said.

"A bit of confidence and momentum is all we can ask for. The last couple of years we have played Brierly at the Reid and have been in both games.

"We beat them the year before and the rain ruined what would've been a good finish last year.

"Creek we beat in a twenty20 last year as well so the depth is there but obviously they are at the top.

"We have to embrace the challenge and the good thing about being such a young side is they don't know what's happened, they don't know who bowls what and don't know who anyone is so they take it on."

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The Factory playing-coach said he wanted to continue to build a "winning culture" at Reid Oval.

"We haven't been up against it but I have been pretty proud the last two weeks," he said.

"The conditions were horrendous last week and they knuckled down and played really well.

"Getting sent in on a big ground with it being a bit windy and cold but two wins on the trot is what you are trying to create with a winning culture.

"A winning culture is what it is all about and you obviously want guys to enjoy what they are doing."

Strauch was pleased with Hetherington's half-century after he scored just 16 runs from his first three innings.

"We needed Jake to get some runs and luckily he stood up because he is a very good player and he would be a key for us," he said.

"When we are missing 'Wiz' (captain Geoff Williams) and Caleb Bidmade he is probably the linchpin of our batting so we needed him to get a score.

"He batted beautifully and he was smashing them in the nets Thursday night so he was due for a big score and luckily he came good."

Hetherington also took the crucial wicket of Sam Howse, who was the only Pirate batsman to score more than 18 runs before being bowled for 36. The all-rounder finished with 1-17 from his nine overs.

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