Lions bow out

By Todd Whelan

Darley Cricket Club

Darley’s quest to send dual Premiership coach Brian Wheelahan out on a high has ended in disappointment, following a comprehensive 213 run semi-final defeat at the hands of East Ballarat last weekend.

After winning the toss, the Lions opted to bowl and after capturing two early wickets the outlook was promising before a resilient East Ballarat outfit steadied to amass an intimidating 326 (all out) with just two deliveries remaining from their 80 allotted overs.

Given the Lion’s proven ability with the bat, the target was certainly within reach but a flurry of wickets falling with dire regularity made the result somewhat an inevitable conclusion from a fair way out.

Three Lions players reached double figures – only Shaun McAndrew (27), Dilon Chandima (24) and Hasitha Wickramasinghe (17) provided some resistance on an otherwise dirty day with willow in hand for the mighty Lions.

The struggles with the bat were typified by an inability to score freely as a miserly six boundaries and a six was all the Lions could conjure for a sparce highlights reel amid the run chase.

Sadly, Wheelahan’s role comes to an end, but he leaves an indelible legacy with two Premierships, a Runners Up and a Semi-final finish on his resume.

The Lions will bounce back hungrier than ever for another crack at the promised land with a new voice at the helm in 2023/24. There’s no doubt the nature of the loss will sting, but it’s hoped the disappointment will only fuel the fire of a wounded Pride keen to atone come their next opportunity.

BCA 1st GRADE – (Semi Final)
East Ballarat 326, Overs 79.4.
Darley 113, Overs 50. S. McAndrew 27, D. Chandima 24.
Darley lost by 113 runs.

BCA 2nd GRADE – (R14)
Darley 241, Overs 45. L. Cornford 74, B. Ward 50.
Wendouree 181, Overs 43.5. B. Ward 3/20, DJ Hynes 2/15.
Darley WON by 60 runs.

BCA 3rd GRADE – (R14)
Golden Point 8/192, Overs 40. A. Bird 2/21, G. Martindale 2/23.
Darley 87, Overs 30. W. Kilmartin 18.
Darley lost by 105 runs.

BCA 4th GRADE – (R14)
Mt Clear 5/180, Overs 40. A. Ward 2/17.
Darley 8/169, Overs 40. B. Densley 48, T. Gallagher 44.
Darley lost by 11 runs.

BCA 5th GRADE – (R20)
Darley 192, Overs 32.4. J. Penny 60, H. Hoey 30.
BFB 162, Overs 29.2. D. De amyand 4/36, L. Amor 2/19.
Darley WON by 30 runs.