Lions fall shy of outright win

TIME proved the catalyst denying the Lions a much-needed outright win to keep their finals four chances alive when stumps were called to end day two and the match against bottom side Buninyong at Darley Park.

The Lions secured first innings points after reeling in the 94 runs required when play resumed with the score at 3/63.

All rounder Sajith Dissanayake (105) was the star of the afternoon with a brilliant century and was ably supported by Coach Nathan Yates who made 51 to give the Lions a handy 47 run buffer at the declaration.

The two put on a game changing 124 run partnership for the fourth wicket before Yates was caught. When Dissanayake departed shortly after with the score on 6/192 it was decision time for the Lions coach.

Yates opted to declare with 45 overs up his sleeve to chase an unlikely outright win and the maximum points that came with it. It was a no-brainer decision for Yates given the context of the Lions’ season now desperate for Premiership points with just two games remaining.

Dissanayake’s golden day was not done with the bat alone as he and fellow spinner Dilon Chandima took all seven Buninyong wickets to keep any thoughts of an outright win a reality. The Lions looked a strong chance when Buninyong slipped to 7/46 but a fighting unbeaten stand from the visitors would deny Yates’ Pride a dream conclusion.

Dissanayake finished with unofficial man of the match honours for his superb ton and 5/39 returns with the ball over the two innings.

Chandima’s contribution wasn’t to be sneezed at either as the gritty right hander made 18 with the bat before finishing the game with match figures of 7/35.

Yates took his season runs tally beyond 300 with his second half century from 10 outings. Only Chandima (376) and Dissanyake (344) have made more runs for the Lions this season (11 innings).

Attention quickly shifts to the penultimate round of the home and away season where the Lions are on the road for a two day meeting with ninth placed Brown Hill (three wins). The Lions are currently seventh on the table, eight points adrift from the top four.

While Yates won’t be taking any first innings result for granted you can guarantee the ultimate goal will be to hatch a plan to pinch an outright victory before a final round showdown with crosstown rivals Bacchus Marsh (4th) will seal their fate.

The notion ‘Beware of the Lions’ still applies in this as the Pride endeavour to pull off something truly remarkable.

Play begins at Western Oval on Saturday from 1pm.

BCA FIRST GRADE – (ROUND 12)

Buninyong 156 & 7/78, Overs 45. S.Dissanayake 4/28, D.Chandima 3/22.

Darley 6/203, Overs 56. S.Dissanayake 105, N.Yates 51.

Darley (now 7th) WON by 4 wickets.

BCA SECOND GRADE – (ROUND 12)

Darley 138 & 2/80, Overs 17. J.Burns 35*, J.Killoran 23, Drew Locke 21*.

Golden Point 133, Overs 49.3. Dan.Hynes 3/2, J.Oorloff 2/21.

Darley (now 2nd) WON by 5 runs..

BCA THIRD GRADE – (ROUND 12)

Darley 4/302, Overs 70. A.Myers 82*, H.Hoey 54, M.Turner 47.

Creswick-Imperials 157, Overs 41.3. H.Hoey 5/45, L.Bona 2/37.

Darley (now 3rd) WON by 145 runs.

BCA FOURTH GRADE – (ROUND 14)

Darley 5/221, Overs 40. T.Gallagher 72, A.Kannar 59, A.Berry 57*.

Naps-Sebas 9/157, Overs 37.3. K.Faulkhead 6/14, J.McKerrow 1/14.

Darley (now 7th) WON by 2 wickets.

BCA FIFTH GRADE – (ROUND 14)

Buninyong 7/289, Overs 40, S.Apostolidis (3 wickets) & M.Apostolidis (2 wickets).

Darley 184, Overs 32.5. D.Hoey 36, J.Hunt 32.

Darley (10th) lost by 105 runs..

GDCA – WOMEN’S FIRST XI – (ROUND 12)

Bacchus Marsh 3/261, Overs 30. B.Ward 1/47.

Darley 5/163, Overs 30. K.Bessell 68(55), M.Scott 32*.

Darley (2nd) lost by 98 runs.