Lions mean business

By Todd Whelan

Darley Cricket Club – W/e 14 January

Ladder leaders Darley remain unbeaten since the season opener following a ‘clinical’ nine wicket win over lowly Ballarat-Redan last weekend.

The result never looked in danger despite the Lions losing the toss and been sent into the field under sweltering conditions on a seeming Darley Park wicket.

The struggling visitors, although touted by the Lions as ‘better than their form suggests’ lost wickets with increasing regularity as five of the six bowlers used chimed in for wickets. Star Lion Danza Hyatt, renowned more for his exploits with the bat took the honours with the ball claiming his first career five wicket haul to help rip through the Ballarat-Redan order before they were bowled out for just 89 in under 35 overs. The effort in the field, clearly an area of focus for the Lions in recent times was flawless, and capped by one of the catches of the summer, a diving one hander at full stretch by Harry Killoran square of the wicket. Needless to add the squeeze was on from the outset and no favours granted by a feverish Lions group in the field with one eye focussed on a bigger prize. Spearhead Madushanka Ekanayake added another two scalps to his season tally of 17 to remain the competitions leading wicket taker. After 12 rounds, the Lions have three of the top five bowlers on the wicket front. Dilon Chandima (3rd) has 14 and Dayle Locke (5th) 13 but was unable to add to his tally after missing with a quad complaint. Left arm seamer Mitch Ward (1/19) was given the call up in Locke’s absence beating the bat on numerous occasions to finish with 1/19. Both Hasi Wickramasinghe and Harry Killoran were not required, further highlighting the enviable depth of this Lions attack.

The response, the chase with the bat would be even more emphatic for the Lions. Despite losing up and coming opener Rockey Hoey (8) leg before, Chandima and Hyatt ensured the remainder of the Lions group their services in the heat would not be required.

Chandima smashed an unbeaten 60 off 33 balls including nine fours and two sixers. His maximum over cover was made look easy, as the entertaining right-hander displayed all of his skillset, leaving onlookers and I’m sure the visitors in the field in awe of the reigning EJ Cleary medalist. The Sri Lankan born talent has 589 runs already this season, 169 clear of the competitions next best at a handy 79 average. Hyatt (22 off 18) to remain unbeaten for a third time in just four innings for the Lions this season. Despite just the four knocks to his name, Hyatt has 277 runs at a whopping 277 average.

Darley is at home again this weekend for another 50 over fixture, this time against sixth placed Mt Clear.

BCA 1st GRADE – (R12)
Ballarat-Redan 89, Overs 34.4. D. Hyatt 5/28, M. Ekanayake 2/9.
Darley 1/93, Overs 10.1. D. Chandima 60*, D. Hyatt 22*.
Darley WON by 9 wickets. (Now 1st)

BCA 2nd GRADE – (R9)
Coronet City 9/196, Overs 45. M. Seager 3/26, B. Ward 2/28, DJ Hynes 2/53.
Darley 6/199, Overs 7.3. S. McAndrew 60, E. Thewma 57*
Darley WON by 4 wickets. (Now 8th)

BCA 3rd GRADE – (R9)
Darley 9/189, Overs 40. D. Hoey 61*, J. Spence 56.
Mt Clear 4/191, Overs 32.3. T. Cox 2/35.
Darley lost by 6 wickets. (Now 7th)

BCA 4th GRADE – (R9)
Darley 5/191, Overs 40. T. Gallagher 102*, B. Densley 25.
Golden Point 108, Overs 34.
Darley WON by 83 runs. (Now 3rd)

BCA 5th GRADE – (R12)
BFB 7/213, Overs 40. H. Hoey 2/24, L. Amor 2/34.
Darley 127, Overs 25.6. S. Martindale 28.
Darley lost by 86 runs. (Now 2nd)