Melton has fought back late with the ball against Yarraville to have their match evenly poised after day one.
With the two teams sixth and seventh, with only percentage separating them, on the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west ladder, getting the six points is vital to both.
Yarraville won the toss and elected to bat in warm conditions at MacPherson Park.
The decision looked like the right one early on with the Eagles cruising at 3-138.
But the Lions rallied late to restrict the Eagles to 8-213.
Lions coach Nathan Geisler said they were happy with that total.
“At one stage it looked like they were heading towards 250,” he said.
“We fought back after tea. We still have to get 213. I’m pretty happy with where the game is situated.”
With the wicket not favouring faster bowlers such as Brad Jones and Ash Sweet, others did the damage with the ball.
Geisler said it was good to see a couple of the younger players make the most of the conditions that suited their bowling.
“It was better with the pace off the ball and Dylan [Clarke] and Adrian [Monitto] bowled really well,” Giesler said.
“Being a hot day, the medium paces didn’t bowl in long spells, either.
“The boys held their chances in the field to back them up, as well.”
Clarke finished with 4-39 and Monitto 2-42.
The challenge is now ahead of the Lions, as batting is the area they have struggled with this season.
The Lions have passed 200 twice for the season, with one of those in a loss.
Geisler said the players knew what was required.
Photo Gallery: Melton vs Yarraville
A loss could see the Lions slip to as low as 11th, with several teams fighting for the last finals spot.
“We have a week to prepare, to think about it,”Geisler said. “ We need to get back to basics.
“It’s about having a mindset of batting time and not worrying about the scoreboard.
“The longer we’re out there, the better. It’s the basic stuff that is sometimes forgotten about.
“If we bat our overs, we should get it done.”
Melton’s second XI made 7-267 against Yarraville, Jeeta Singh top-scoring with 67.
The Lions are in eighth place and a game outside the top six.
Meanwhile, Melton JG Craig Shield cricketer Josh Oldfield has been selected as part of the west team to play other regions.
Oldfield, who plays his local cricket for Eynesbury Eagles, had an impact for Melton with both the bat and ball during Melton’s JG Craig Shield campaign.
