The evenness of sub-district cricket’s north-west first XI competition was highlighted on Saturday when a first innings slip-up sent Melton tumbling out of the competition’s top two.
The Lions were left to rue a poor first-day batting display against Yarraville a week earlier, when the Eagles ripped through the Melton line-up, dismissing the home side for 100 in the 44th over.
In reply, Yarraville reached 4-75 at stumps needing 26 more for the win.
Picture gallery: Melton v Yarraville VSDCA
On Saturday, the Eagles weathered a fired-up Melton attack that removed Joshua Hahnel without scoring and Mathew O’Grady for one run. But the double strike only slowed Yarraville down briefly as experienced duo Matthew Love and Alex Hewet secured the remaining required runs and sealed the four-wicket first innings win.
Yarraville went on to make 138 before the innings was brought to a close by the run out of No.11 Nick Parish. Despite having had only a small target to defend, the Melton bowlers fought hard in their bid for an unlikely first innings win.
James Wheelahan was at his consistent best, the opening bowler taking 3-9 from his seven overs. The Lions’ other multiple wicket takers were Brad Jones and Nathan Allen, who finished with 2-24 and 2-19 respectively.
With time still left in the day’s play, Melton batted again and was 4-88 from 30 overs when stumps was called.
The weekend’s loss knocked Melton from top spot on the ladder and down to third.
Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows moved to top of the table after it was able to secure all 10 points from its outright win against Coburg.
Plenty Valley easily accounted for Brunswick to move into second.
Melton will look to bounce back this week when it takes on the seventh-placed Williamstown. The match will be a mini-final for the Seagulls, who need a win to keep their finals hopes alive.
Also at the weekend, Balwyn was too good for Sunshine; Ivanhoe got the better of Werribee; and Altona defeated Kew.
