Lions bowl to victory

DARLEY’S four-pronged bowling attack helped elevate the Lions into second place on the BCA table following a comfortable 55-run win over bottom side Naps-Sebas at the weekend.

Madushanka Ekanayake (3/23), Ben Longhurst (3/31), Nathan Yates 2/26 and Sajith Dissanayake 2/10 needed just 28.2 overs to clean up the hosts for just 90, well shy of the 146-run target set by the Lions earlier after they were sent in on a tricky deck.

Lions coach Nathan Yates was rapt with the effort of his team despite a familiar pattern with the bat.

“A lot of the boys got good starts on a wicket that was seaming around like it had been under the covers for a few days,” he said.

“While we struggled our way to 140-odd, we thought our original aim of 150-plus would be enough.”

“Our effort in the field was the highlight of the day as we took every chance that came our way.

“Everyone who was given the ball bowled well and they too took their chances.”

Five of the Lions’ top seven batsmen made it to double figures under trying conditions, balanced out to a degree with a rewarding outfield.

The win came in the form of a one-day fixture following a washout of play in week one.

While the Lions are doing plenty right on the ladder front and are just two points behind Mt Clear, the scope for this team under Yates has no ceiling.

And Yates is not taking any points for granted in a very even season for the BCA.

“We have two more games ’til the break,” he said. “Getting a couple more wins will be the key to cementing our position.”

The Lions remain unbeaten away from home ahead of another road trip this week, a one-day meeting with sixth-placed Golden Point at Eastern Oval.

Play starts Saturday from noon.

BCA FIRST GRADE – (ROUND 7)

Darley 145, Overs 39. N. Yates 21, M. Ekanayake 20*

Naps-Sebas 90, Overs 28.2. M. Ekanayake 3/23, B. Longhurst 3/31.

Darley (2nd) WON by 55 runs.

BCA SECOND GRADE – (ROUND 7)

East Ballarat 82, Overs 35.1. M. Ellis 4/21, Dan Hynes 3/0.

Darley 1/83, Overs 10. J. Murphy 62*(36), J. Martindale 10*.

Darley (3rd) WON by 9 wickets.

BCA THIRD GRADE – (ROUND 7)

Darley 109, Overs 31.4. A. Ward 28, B. Densley 24.

Lucas 0/110, Overs 15.5.

Darley (2nd) lost by 10 wickets.

BCA FOURTH GRADE – (ROUND 8)

Mt Clear vs Darley (7th)

Match cancelled.

BCA FIFTH GRADE – (ROUND 8 )

Ballarat Fire Brigade vs Darley (9th)

Match cancelled.

GDCA – WOMEN’S FIRST XI – (ROUND 8)

Darley 1/154, Overs 20. B. Ward 50*ret, K. Bessell 50*ret.

Macedon 8/47, Overs 16.5. K. Bessell 3/1, E. Beck 2/14.

Darley (1st) WON by 107 runs.