The Bombers had little trouble defending their total of 8-196 against Central Park-St Brendan's, rolling the Tigers for 97 to add that scalp to wins against Kyabram and Tatura in the two previous rounds.
The result means both sides — along with Old Students — are nine points back from sixth-ranked Nagambie with one game to play in the regular season, meaning an outright win combined with a Laker loss could have them jump into the finals mix.
But captain Brayden Carey was more focused on the huge steps forward the side has taken in the back half of the season, encouraging signs for the club's future.
“We're starting to play some good cricket, we always knew our players had a lot of skill and it's just been a matter of getting a few areas right,” he said.
“The bowling side of things clicked yesterday, Jordy (Jordan Cleeland) has just started really hitting his straps with the ball.
“It's been good to play a few of the teams that are right around our level, we seemed to play all the top sides at the start of the season which made things a bit tricky, when teams would get on top of us we really struggled to get out. We've really built from there, and didn't let them get on top at any stage.”
With 8-196 on the board, largely thanks to Carey's 109 on the first day, the Bombers went in full of confidence and found an early wicket with Connor Holland caught for two, before Mitch Trevaskis fell shortly after to make it 2-23.
Andrew McMillan (19) was run out with the score 3-46, but the carnage truly began with the disastrous loss of 5-14 soon after, the Tigers slumping to 8-71 as Bomber Cleeland took over the game.
Cleeland found the vital wicket of Xavier Chalkley, who looked the pick of the Tiger bats in making 23, while he also dismissed Jack McCarten and Brendan Scott in his 5-33.
The Tiger innings was promptly wrapped up for 97, with the Bombers continuing their late season charge to finals.
Carey said the gradual improvement throughout the campaign had been exactly what the doctor ordered.
“(Coach) Mick Cleeland's message has been wanting a little bit of improvement from everyone, if everyone improves by five runs with the bat that's another 50 runs right there,” he said.
“We're aiming to take those little steps, things like holding our catches, it was evident in the closer matches we were dropping them and yesterday we held all our catches and took a couple of those half-chances.”
THE GAME
Waaia 8-196 (Brayden Carey 109, Jesse Trower 37, Charlie Boyer 2-19, Brendan Scott 2-35) d Central Park-St Brendan's 97 (Xavier Chalkley 23, Andrew McMillan 19, Jordan Cleeland 5-33, Jesse Trower 2-32)
STAR PLAYER
Jordan Cleeland (Waaia): His captain set it up with a ton on day one, but Cleeland steered the ship home with a ripping five-for. Got the key wickets of Chalkley, McCarten and Scott to ensure an easy win for the Bombers.
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