Lions have Bulls by the horns

By Todd Whelan

Darley Cricket Club

Star opening bowler Madushanka Ekamayake has the Lions in the box seat after day one with another fine spell, this time against his former side, Bacchus Marsh.

The once Sri Lankan Under 19 representative, ripped through the Bulls top order with three wickets from his opening eight overs including two in successive balls. Ekanayake finished with 3/11 from 12 overs (7 maidens).

Not to be outdone. Lions captain Benny Longhurst was similarly ‘ekka-nomical’ taking 1/29 from his 13 overs. The pair combined for a stingey 4/40 from 25 overs that included a staggering 13 maidens.

With mounting pressure on the visitor’s batsmen after winning the toss, Lions newcomer Chamika Sattambi chimed in with two wickets of his own to have the Bulls struggling at 6/65.

Quality left-handed Bulls opening bat James Lidgett was defiant remaining unbeaten on 29 (83).

Day two resumes at Darley Park this Saturday.

BCA 1st Grade – R6 Day 1/2
Bacchus Marsh 6/62, Overs 27.5.
M. Ekanayake 3/11, C. Sattambi 2/5
Darley 3/53, Overs 26.
B. Barnes 17, L. Herring 10*

BCA 2nd Grade – R6 Day 1/2
Darley 8/303, Overs 80.
E. Thewma 93, J. Murphy 50.
Naps-Sebastopol – Match in progress.

BCA 3rd Grade – R6 Day 1/2
Golden Point 5/379 dec, Overs 58.
Z. Agius 3/53. Darley (yet to bat)
Match in progress

BCA 4th Grade – R6
Darley 115, Overs 38.
B. Densley 55, Dar. Hynes 17*
Burrumbeet 5/118, Overs 22.
F. Kilmartin 3/23.
Darley (now 5th) lost by 5 wickets.

BCA 5th Grade – R6.
Darley (2nd) v Ballan (5th)
No details available