Bittersweet joy for Lions

By Todd Whelan

Darley Cricket Club

Darley’s quest for the perfect game remains on hold despite a comprehensive 158 run win over bogie side East Ballarat at the weekend.

Lions coach Brian Wheelahan shared mixed emotions in the aftermath highlighting his concerns of another ‘below par’ performance in the field.

“Our bowling (effort) was honest, but we certainly need to lift our standards in the field,” he said.

“We must have missed six or seven chances throughout the day.”

According to Wheelahan, the Lions ground fielding wasn’t much better either.

“The boys are well aware of this and can expect a real focus on this area over the coming weeks,” he said.

Having voiced his obvious frustrations at the top, Wheelahan was then able to relax and pay homage to the returns from his bowlers.

“Ekka (Ekanayake) bowled his heart out and had us off to a flyer with two wickets in the opening over,” he said.

“At 2/0, chasing 320+ was always going to be tough.”

Wheelahan said Dil (Chandima) capped off an amazing all-round game with his well controlled leg spinners and thought Harry (Killoran) was back to his best, bowling with great dip and fizz.

“He looked dangerous every ball.”

While Wheelahan’s appraisal was firm to say the least, the importance of the win and banking points was not missed by the dual Premiership Coach.

“(It was a) very solid win which we obviously take ahead of our final hurdle before Christmas,” he said.

“We have a bye over the next two Saturdays before a one-day game on the road against Golden Point on December 18.”

The Lions currently sit on top of the BCA table after eight rounds ranking #1 for wickets taken and #1 for overall runs made.

 

RESULTS

BCA 1st GRADE – (Round 8)

Darley 337, Overs 79.3. D. Chandima 158, H. Wickramasinghe 53, D. Hyatt 45.

East Ballarat 179, Overs 65.1. D. Chandima 4/42, M. Ekanayake 2/30, Dr Locke 21/1.

Darley WON by 158 runs.

 

BCA 2nd GRADE – (Round 2)

Lucas 5/300, Overs 45. T. Cox 2/37.

Darley 143, Overs 29.2. J. Murphy 57, S. McAndrew 34.

Darley lost by 257 runs.

 

BCA 3rd GRADE – (Round 2)

Coronet City 7/200, Overs 40. L. Hurst 2/39, G. Martindale 2/44.

Darley 9/173, Overs 40. D. Hoey 53 J. Spence 29, M. Hoey 25*.

Darley lost by 27 runs.

 

BCA 5th GRADE – (Round 9)

Naps-Sebas 8/220, Overs 40. H. Hoey 3/31, A. Clarke 3/32.

Darley 2/221, Overs 37. R. Barnes 81*, J. Penny 62*, A. Clarke 48.

Darley won by 8 wickets.