Lions tail wags with the bat

TODD WHELAN

A DEFIANT ninth wicket stand of 72 runs between lower order duo Benny Longhurst and Madushanka Ekanayake has helped the Lions to a more respectful total, after day one of the last round of home and away matches concluded at the weekend.

The Lions were reeling on their home deck at 8/70 having won the toss, before being bowled for 157 in the last over the day. The modest target gives the Lions bowling attack some chance at least mounting a defence against finals bound Golden Point (2nd).

It just hasn’t been the Lions season with the bat, and on this occasion only Brodie Ward (11) and Rockey Hoey (11) of the top six could make it to double figures.

Hasi Wickramasinghe 14(59) and Drew Locke 12(32) came in at seven and eight respectively, and looked comfortable for periods before they too were dismissed, leaving Longhurst and Ekanayake to salvage a deserting ship.

Like the Lions’ exploits on Darley Park a round earlier, it was slow going for the batters as another 20 maidens (18 last week) were sent down by the visitors, highlighting a season long struggle with willow in hand for Dilon Chandima’s men.

Longhurst resembled more of his earlier years with the bat compiling a hard fought 48(88) including five boundaries. Only Drew Locke (twice) and Ekanayake (one six) of the remaining Lions batsmen could find the rope on a tough day at the office. Ekanayake’s 35(93) came to an end when he was caught, becoming the ninth man out with the score at 9/142.

Number 11 bat and second gamer Daniel Hynes 1*(21) hung around again to hold up an end as Longhurst pressed the button for bonus runs, before the Lions Captain became the sixth batsman of the innings to be caught, two runs shy of a well-deserved half century.

Longhurst and Ekanayake will lead the Lions defence in a more familiar role when play resumes on Saturday. Success for the Lions, however, will be a tough ask, considering Golden Point have posted 299 runs+ in three of their previous four, two-day games.

Play begins from 1pm. All support welcome with bar facilities available.

2nd XI

For the record; Former Lions 1st XI Captain Bradley Barnes continued his recent bout of form with the bat following his unbeaten 121*(95) in round 13. Ironically Barnes was eventually dismissed in round 14 for 78(71) at the weekend. Do the maths – his entertaining 199(166) run feast fortnight included 23 fours and 10 sixes.

BCA FIRST GRADE – (ROUND 14 – Day 1)

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

Darley (now 6th) lead Golden Point (2nd) by 157 runs.

BCA SECOND GRADE – (ROUND 14 – Day 1)

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

VRI Delacombe 2/48, Overs 13. W.Kilmartin 1/6, M.Seager 1/35.

Darley (now 2nd) lead by 140 runs.

BCA THIRD GRADE – (ROUND 14 – Day 1)

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

Darley (now 9th) need 342 runs to win.

BCA FOURTH GRADE – (ROUND 17)

Darley 5/196, Overs 40. J.McKerrow 68, J.Penny 42.