Lions concede bragging rights

By Todd Whelan

Darley Cricket Club

A middle order collapse saw the Lions fall agonisingly short against cross town rivals Bacchus Marsh at the weekend in their inaugural BCA local derby at Darley Park.

Chasing a presumed low total of just 110, the Lions looked to be comfortable in their endeavours at 4/77 before three wickets in quick time had them reeling at 7/77, requiring a further 34 runs for victory.

Just four Lions batsmen could make it to double figures, in what was becoming an arduous run chase for unofficial bragging rights as in form stroke maker Drew Locke 13 (26) was left stranded seven runs shy of victory.

When Lachie Herring (19) chopped on to his stumps and Madushanka Ekanayake was bowled next ball the balance of the run chase had flipped on its head.

While the Lions held slight favouritism to win the game at 8/104, they were unable to make any further inroads, losing their last two wickets without adding to the total. Fair to say, opportunity lost in the race for all-important Premiership points. Honours with the Bulls in chapter one of many more exciting derbies to come.

With little time for the Lions to process and review Saturday’s loss, a similar scenario with the bat unfolded in Sunday’s round seven meeting with East Ballarat. A one-day fixture would decide the event as the Lions’ woes with the bat continued.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat the Lions looked to be on target posting a credible score at 3/63. When that became 7/67 a short time later it was seemingly a case of déjà vu for the Lions, just 24 hours on.

A vulnerable 102 is all the Lions could muster after being bowled out in the 41st over.

In reply East Ballarat endured their own problems with the bat to be 6/78 as opening duo Ekanayake (2/25) and Longhurst (3/19) flew the Lions flag with the aid of Hasi Wickramasinghe (3/31) to keep the hosts in it, before East Ballarat found a way to reach the target nine wickets down.

The Lions have lost their last three games on the trot, all at home, and will look to bounce back ahead of their round eight meeting on Saturday at Darley Park against fifth placed Mt Clear.

The Lions find themselves sixth on the BCA table level on points with competition newcomers Bacchus Marsh (7th).

BCA First Grade – Round 6
Bacchus Marsh 110 & 0/26, Overs 52 &11.
M.Ekanayake 5/24, C.Sattambi 3/20.
Darley 104, Overs 47.4. L.Herring 19, B.Barnes 17.
Darley lost by six runs.

BCA First Grade – Round 7
Darley 102, Overs 40.3. B.Longhurst 17.
East Ballarat 9/103, Overs 36.2. B.Longhurst 3/19, H.Wickramasinghe 3/31.
Darley lost by one wicket.

BCA Second Grade – Round 6
Darley 8/303, Overs 80. E.Thewma 93, J.Murphy 50.
Naps-Sebastopol 181, Overs 71.2. Da.Hynes 3/33, M.Seager 3/41.
Darley won by 122 runs.

BCA Second Grade – Round 7
Darley 122, Overs 39.4. A.Pickett 46, A.Morton 34.
Coronet City 3/130, Overs 17. A.Pickett 1/22, J.Oorloff 1/22.
Darley lost by seven wickets.

BCA Third Grade – Round 7
Darley 168, Overs 39.2. S.Sanders 68, J.Higgins 22.
East Ballarat 3/171, Overs 39.
Darley lost by seven wickets.

BCA Fourth Grade – Round 7
Darley 8/188, Overs 40. T.Gallagher 67, S.Ward 49.
Wendouree 6/115, Overs 40. T.Kilmartin 1/10, L.Amor 1/17.
Darley won by 73 runs.

BCA Fifth Grade – Round 7
Darley 90, Overs 36.
Lucas 0/92, Overs 11.
Darley lost by 10 wickets.