Murray says he is "quietly confident" his side will keep its opposition under that score.

Murray's team got off to a good start in the match and was 2-118 at tea, much to the coach's delight, He hadn't seen his side play so well in the early stages of a match all season, he later observed.

"We set ourselves a target with our batting and it was a really good surface, which helped us to a really

good score at tea," Murray said.

"Our good play early on was a big bonus for us and it created a platform for us to do well in the second half of the day.

"Even though the players didn't go on to make big scores it was pleasing to see us get off to such a positive start."

Murray was one of three batsmen to get past 50 in the match, with the ever-reliable David Wolfe hitting 59 and Travis Bean leading the scoring with a solid 62.

"I'll take three of our players hitting 50s almost any week, and the partnership of Bean and Wolfe gave us exactly what we needed," Murray said.

"The score of 253 is not too bad, but we'll have to bowl well. I'm confident we can go out and defend it next week."

Murray says a victory over Melton would give his side the perfect boost in the run up to the finals and he hopes his side will capitalise on the solid start against Melton.

"It is crucial to us to win this game and all we can really do is keep winning and hope the sides around us slip up," Murray said.

"A couple of sides above us are on equal points so if we win this and our next few games there will be room to move up the table."

VSDCA

Firsts: Werribee 9-253 (Bean 62 Wolfe 59 Murray 51) v Melton.

Seconds: Werribee 137 (Duxson 56) v Melton 3-41.

Thirds: Werribee 4-26 v Altona 104 (Doolan 5-31).

Fourths: Altona 9-292 v Werribee.