Local derby looms as finals decider

CROSS-town rivals Bacchus Marsh are all that stand in the way of the Lions landing a once unlikely finals berth as the BCA home and away season draws to a mouth-watering conclusion beginning on Saturday.

Surely the cricket gods were in the Lions’ corner at the weekend as the three teams placed above Nathan Yates’ Pride on points all suffered defeats, presenting the do-or-die opportunity.

Coach Yates stayed in his own lane in the aftermath despite the crazy acenario that unfolded, under no illusions what lies ahead.

“Big game coming up against the Marsh,” he said. “It is an Elimination Final of sorts, the winner will finish fourth.”

The Lions did have to win their road trip to Brown Hill at the weekend to set up their opportunity and did it comfortably after posting an imposing 241 runs from their 50 overs, a total Yates was happy with at the halfway mark in very warm conditions.

“(We) batted really well with most of the top order playing their role on a way to a score we thought to be a bit over par despite a quality pitch and rewarding outfield,” he said.

The Lions leading run scorers for the current season, Sajith Dissanayake (90) and Dilon Chandima (65) were the stars yet again and combined for a valuable 54 run partnership for the third wicket.

Dissanayake and Chandima’s returns were not solely defined with bat in hand as the experienced duo claimed six wickets to help guide the Lions to comfortable 96 run win.

“Saji and Dil’s all round game with bat and ball were the players of the match.” Yates said.

Brown Hill were off to a positive start early in the run chase before Dissanayake (1/28) and Jarrod Burns (3/20) applied the screws after the drinks break taking 4/3 in just under 10 overs. The Lions bowlers were well backed up in the field taking five catches and effecting a run out in the stifling heat.

Sure the Lions went in favorites and were tipped by most to win the game against their ninth placed opponents but no victory was more important for Yates, given the context of their season. If the Lions can progress to greater things, the penultimate round of the home and away season could hold a special place in Lions hearts when fortunes were favourably flipped on it’s head.

But the Lions are no lock for a finals berth just yet as Bacchus Marsh aim for an inaugural appearance of their own in just their second season in the BCA.

Forget local bragging rights here for the moment, the stakes are far greater. This is no excuses, season on the line stuff.

As destiny awaits, one thing is certain – It will be surely earned.

Play begins at Darley Park from 1pm – all welcome.

BCA FIRST GRADE – (ROUND 13)

Darley 8/241, Overs 50. S.Dissanayake 90, D.Chandima 65.

Brown Hill 145, Overs 47.3. D.Chandima 4/30, J.Burns 3/20.

Darley (now 5th) won by 96 runs.

BCA SECOND GRADE – (ROUND 13)

Darley 128, Overs 58. A.Pickett 47, Drew Locke 31.

VRI Delacombe 4/130, Overs 61. Drew Locke 2/30, H.Singh 1/15.

Darley (now 3rd) lost by 6 wickets.

BCA THIRD GRADE – (ROUND 13)

Darley 195, Overs 62.5. A.Ward 62, L.Woods 41.

Brown Hill 81, Overs 31.4. L.Bona 8/34, Z.Agius 1/37.

Darley (now 2nd) won by 114 runs.

BCA FOURTH GRADE – (ROUND 16)

Darley 158, Overs 38.2. T.Gallagher 85, A.Kannar 24.

Ballarat-Redan 3/159, Overs 37.3. V.Hooda 2/37, A.Kannar 1/8.

Darley (now 8th) lost by 7 wickets..

BCA FIFTH GRADE – (ROUND 16)

Darley 200, Overs 38. D.Hoey 44, K.Semmens 36*, J.Hunt 34.

VRI Delacombe 0/201, Overs 14.3.

Darley (10th) lost by 10 wickets.

GDCA – WOMEN’S FIRST XI – (ROUND 14)

Gisborne 176, Overs 29.5. K.Sanders 2/28, K.Bessell 2/35.

Darley 8/83, Overs 26. B.Ward 27.

Darley (finished 4th) lost by 93 runs.

– will meet Bacchus Marsh in Semi-Final on Sunday March 2 (Maddingley Park).