SOMETIMES a nail-biter is the perfect wake-up call.
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For Warrnambool Blue, a two-run win might just be what kicks its Horsham Country Week campaign into gear.
A clutch maiden from West Warrnambool's Sam Slattery - the final over of the match - sealed victory for Warrnambool Blue over Horsham on Monday.
Horsham needed just three runs to secure a triumph - but Slattery's accuracy was pinpoint.
Warrnambool coach Ben Powell said a first-up win was vital and praised Slattery's heroics.
"It's so important to keep that momentum rolling," he told The Standard.
"You want to keep the kids confident and up and about. Warrnambool Gold lost out at Dimboola and they were a bit sad - it means a lot to the kids.
"The main focus for us is to make sure they're having fun. They're here to play cricket but we want them to be enjoying things."
Powell said his team was loaded with "smart cricketers".
"All 13 players in my squad are smart young cricketers," he said.
The main focus for us is to make sure they're having fun. They're here to play cricket but we want them to be enjoying things.
- Ben Powell
"They all bring something to the table. Harry (Schrama) and Flynn (Wilkinson) are our captains and their leadership is good out on the ground.
"They've played a lot of senior cricket and same with Joey Douglas."
Powell, who is linked to Brierly-Christ Church, said batting was a potential area of improvement for the remainder of the week.
Only Wilkinson (27), Douglas (18) and Tom Morrison (24) reached double figures.
"We probably left about 30 or 40 runs out there," Powell said.
Warrnambool Gold suffered a 37-run loss to Colac at Dimboola.
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Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
