Lions lament finals miss

DARLEY’S finals aspirations came to a premature end at the weekend after failing to reel in the 91 runs required on day two against crosstown rival Bacchus Marsh.

When play resumed the Lions were relatively upbeat about their chances despite starting the day on the ropes at 4-35 chasing the Bulls’ modest total of 125.

The Lions’ scenario went from bad to worse quickly as they slumped to be 8-49 at one stage and needing a miracle to progress to the final four. That miracle almost came in the name of Jarod Burns and Madushanka Ekanayake, who put on 42 runs for the ninth wicket before Burns departed for a brave 42 (153 balls).

Ekanayake, noted more for his standout performances with ball in hand, gave his all against his former club to finish unbeaten on 20.

But unfortunately the broader batting collective was unable to get it done when it mattered most, with just three batsmen making it to double figures, as the Lions were soon bowled out for 109, 16 runs shy of the target.

Ironically, the result resembled the Lions-Bulls previous meeting in round nine at the same venue when Bacchus Marsh was dismissed for 125, while Darley could manage just 112 in reply.

While there was a sense of deja vous for some, the stakes were evidently much higher in this case – a finals berth for the winner and season over for the loser.

It just wasn’t to be for the Lions, who struggled more often on their home deck this season with the bat, winning just three of their seven games. Away from home the Lions split their win-loss ledger with three wins.

The Lions will look to regroup and return hungrier than ever in season 2025–26.

Significant contributors with bat and ball for the Lions in the season that was were Sajth Dissanayake (441 runs and 39 wickets) and Dilon Chandima (444 runs and 21 wickets).

While the Lions will be disappointed with how the season finished, there were some individual efforts and indications of growth that should be celebrated.

Focus shifts to the Second and Third XI sides, which both finished second in their respective competitions and will progress to the semis starting tomorrow.

The fourth and fifth grades both finished 10th and will miss out on the finals action, joining the First XI which ended in sixth place, some eight points shy of the top four.

BCA FIRST GRADE – (RND 14)

Bacchus Marsh 125, Overs 54.1 H. Wickramasinghe 4-21, S. Dissanayake 3-25.

Darley 106, Overs 66.1. J. Burns 42, M. Ekanayake 20*.

Darley (finished 6th) lost by 19 runs.

BCA SECOND GRADE – (RND 14 )

Darley 173 & 4-82. E. Thewma 29, J. Murphy 22.

Wendouree 80. J. Murphy 3-10, Dale Locke 1-15, M. Ellis 1-0.

Darley (finished 2nd) won by 93 runs.

BCA THIRD GRADE – (RND 14)

Wendouree 107, Overs 63. A. Ward 3-14, H. Singh 2-8, H. Hoey 2-36.

Darley 5-166, Overs 37. A. Myers 52*, L. Woods 42, A. Ward 29.

Darley (finished 2nd) won by 5 wickets.