Lions end season on a high

TODD WHELAN

The Lions bowling attack has led the Pride to a nailbiting four run win over finals bound Golden Point on Darley Park at the weekend.

Defending a modest total of 157, there was little room for error for the Lions bowlers who again answered the call when it mattered most.

Coach Dilon Chandima (5/48, 4 maidens, 17 overs), Captain Ben Longhurst (2/23) and strike bowler Madushanka Ekanayake (2/34, 7 maidens, 20 ov) were largely responsible for applying the screws on a proven batting line up that had posted totals of 290 runs plus in three of their previous four, two-day games.

Close games seemingly have been ‘a thing’ for the Lions all season given It was their fourth win in seven games decided by 17 runs or less.

The result, arguably the Lions best for the season was an encouraging way to go out, and validation of a spirited group hellbent on fighting it out to the very end.

While it was essentially a dead rubber in the context of the Lions season, you can’t deny the character shown by the Pride who have won two of the last three BCA titles.

Despite the reality of missing finals, the Lions bowlers can hold their heads high having taken more wickets than any other side in the competition for the season. While the Lions ranked #1 for wickets taken, they would be the first to acknowledge coming up short with the bat ranking 10/11 for runs scored and wickets to fall. Only bottom side Buninyong (one win) fared worse with the willow.

2nd XI

The Lions head to Mt Clear this weekend for a two day Semi Final (concluding Sunday). The winner of the Lions (2nd) and Mt Clear (3rd) clash will progress to the Grand Final for a meeting with either Coronet (1st) or Brown Hill (4th). For the record Darley’s 2nd XI lost just one game for the home and away season (10 wins) to earn their spot in the Semi Finals.

BCA FIRST GRADE – (ROUND 14 – Day 2)

Darley 157, Overs 79.1. B.Longhurst 48, M.Ekanayake 35.

Golden Point 153, Overs 63.3. D.Chandima 5/48, B.Longhurst 2/23.

Darley (6th) won by 4 runs.

BCA SECOND GRADE – (ROUND 14 – Day 2)

Darley 188, Overs 64. B.Barnes 78*(71), J.Murphy 32, R.O’Brien 32.

VRI Delacombe 152, Overs 47.5. L.Bona 4/44, J.Murphy 2/8.

Darley (2nd) won by 36 runs.

BCA THIRD GRADE – (ROUND 14 – Day 2)

Bacchus Marsh 9/341, Overs 78.3. T.Gallagher 3/22, A.Ward 2/42, M.Singh 2/58.

Darley 9/124, Overs 55. S.Ward 62, M.Singh 22.

Darley (10th) lost by 217 runs.