By Todd Whelan<\/p>\n
Darley Cricket Club<\/strong><\/p>\n Darley’s quest to send dual Premiership coach Brian Wheelahan out on a high has ended in disappointment, following a comprehensive 213 run semi-final defeat at the hands of East Ballarat last weekend.<\/p>\n After winning the toss, the Lions opted to bowl and after capturing two early wickets the outlook was promising before a resilient East Ballarat outfit steadied to amass an intimidating 326 (all out) with just two deliveries remaining from their 80 allotted overs.<\/p>\n Given the Lion\u2019s proven ability with the bat, the target was certainly within reach but a flurry of wickets falling with dire regularity made the result somewhat an inevitable conclusion from a fair way out.<\/p>\n Three Lions players reached double figures – only Shaun McAndrew (27), Dilon Chandima (24) and Hasitha Wickramasinghe (17) provided some resistance on an otherwise dirty day with willow in hand for the mighty Lions.<\/p>\n The struggles with the bat were typified by an inability to score freely as a miserly six boundaries and a six was all the Lions could conjure for a sparce highlights reel amid the run chase.<\/p>\n Sadly, Wheelahan’s role comes to an end, but he leaves an indelible legacy with two Premierships, a Runners Up and a Semi-final finish on his resume.<\/p>\n The Lions will bounce back hungrier than ever for another crack at the promised land with a new voice at the helm in 2023\/24. There’s no doubt the nature of the loss will sting, but it’s hoped the disappointment will only fuel the fire of a wounded Pride keen to atone come their next opportunity. <\/p>\n