By Todd Whelan<\/p>\n
Darley Cricket Club<\/strong><\/p>\n An unbeaten half century from middle order batsman Drew Locke has secured the Lions an all-important outright win over Buninyong last weekend.<\/p>\n After dismissing the hosts for 126 in their second innings, the Lions were set 125 runs to earn the maximum nine points on offer. Credit to the Lions bowling unit again, led by Madushanka Ekanayake (4\/27) and Ben Longhurst (8 match wickets) creating the outright opportunity.<\/p>\n With certain degrees of inevitability creeping in on the result given the state of the game, the chase wasn’t without its concerns, as momentum flipped on its head when the Lions slumped to 4\/24 early in the run chase.<\/p>\n First innings heroes Dilon Chandima, Axel Morton and Lachie Herring all went relatively cheap, shifting onus onto middle order pairing Drew Locke and all-rounder Hasi Wickramasinghe.<\/p>\n Locke played with confidence and flair to rescue the Lions innings and see out the chase after arriving at the crease with the score at 3\/24. When Chandima (19) went shortly after, Wickramasinghe (23) joined Locke for a game saving 80 run partnership for the sixth wicket. <\/p>\n Left hander Locke smashed seven fours and a six to remain unbeaten on 61*, a timely return to his early season form with the bat.<\/p>\n The Lions finals chances remain slim but mathematically possible, now 14 points outside of the top four in sixth place with three matches to play. Their next two games are at home against Brown Hill (8th – 3 wins) and Naps-Sebas (9th -1 win). Needless to add, the Lions must avert a three game losing streak at home to keep their season alive. <\/p>\n Day One action of the Lions \/ Brown Hill clash begins this Saturday at Darley Park from 12 noon. <\/p>\n