By Tara Murray
Melton had a much-needed win in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south west competition on Saturday.
After dropping their past two games, Lions coach Nathan Geisler said the game was a “12-point” game for them.
The Lions defeated Ormond despite being tested several times throughout Saturday.
Geisler said the most pleasing thing about the performance was the way they were able to respond when needed. It’s something they have struggled with at times this season.
“We got into some tricky spots,” Geisler said.
“We were able to recover and it was a good win for us.
“It was vital to get that win.”
The Lions were in trouble at 4-30-odd before some late order hitting from Prabath Priyankara and Dylan Clarke pushed the score to 177.
While Geisler said it was a below par score it could have been worse.
“Prabath and Dylan Clarke made 20-30-odd [each] and while it doesn’t sound like a lot, it was an extra 50 runs that proved to be important.”
Ormond looked to be cruising at 2-120 before the Lions struck back.
In the space of 45 runs, Ormond lost eight wicket to be all out for 165.
Geisler said Ash Sweet was the destroyer with the ball, taking 5-14, bowling into the wind.
The Lions sit eighth with three wins, and are percentage outside the top six.
Geisler said the win was massive in the context of the season.
“We couldn’t have afforded to go 2-4,” he said. “We’re now 3-3 with two winnable games before Christmas.
“If we could get those two wins it would make it 5-3 and that would be ideal considering we’re played three of the top-four sides.”
The next two matches are against Moorabbin and Taylors Lakes which fill the bottom two spots on the ladder.
Geisler said as well as winning those two games, he would like the side to find some form with the bat.
“The positive side is, we’re still not playing good cricket,” he said.
“We’re all over the shop with our consistency with the batting.
“We’re not cashing in, we’re making a lot of 20s and 30s. We need to get big scores.”
It was a good day for the Lions, with all five sides winning.
Meanwhile, Melton’s T20 campaign ended against Werribee in the first round of the knock-out competition. Werribee made 7-137 from its overs with Ashley Sweet taking 3-23.
The Lions fell short, making 6-130.
Pawan Wickramasinghe top scored, with 39.
Lions bowler Brad Jones has been selected to represent the VSDCA in a match against the Victorian Country Cricket League side.
MORE VSDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/taylors-lakes-gets-monkey-off-its-back/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/century-sets-up-victory-for-plenty-valley/
