By Tara Murray
Melton’s confidence is growing in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west finals series.
The Lions snuck into finals in the last round and are now just one win away from a grand final spot after beating Werribee in their semi-final at the weekend.
As has been the case many times this season, the Lions bowlers set the game up, bowling the Tigers out for just 103.
Lions’ coach Nathan Geisler said it was a pleasing effort.
“We bowled a good line and asked questions of the batsmen,” he said.
“We fielded well for the most part of it, but we put down a few chances late in the innings.
“But to bowl them out for 103 is really good.”
Geisler said opening bowlers Brad Jones and Ash Sweet continued their good form, both taking three wickets.
Jake Charge, who returned to the side, also took three wickets.
Geisler said the decision to bring back Charge and Dylan Clarke, who also missed last week, for himself and Anthony Gale, was an easy one.
“To be honest, as we said at selection, it was more about backing in the team that had got us to this position.
“Chargey was really good yesterday taking three wickets.”
Photo Gallery: Melton vs Werribee
The Lions finished day one at 3-76 needing another 28 runs for victory.
It was a nervous few moments for Geisler and those on the sidelines early on day two when they lost two quick wickets.
“We got it down to about 20 runs with five wickets in hand,” he said.
“It took a while to get those runs, but we got there in the end. Despite our form this season, we believe that we bat deep.”
The Lions finished 5-131 and the two teams were back in the pavilion before rain hit.
Geisler said the most pleasing thing was the contributions that came from across the board.
“Jake Thornton-Gielen batted really well late and got us across the line,” he said.
“Pawan Wickramasinghe and David Dickinson both batted well last night.
“Dicko was that mature head at the top of the order when we needed it. Even young Adrian Monitto batted really well for his 13 not out.
“That will probably be his hardest 13 not out he ever makes.”
Dickinson top scored with 37 which came off a massive 129 balls in nearly three hours at the crease.
The Lions face Elsternwick in a preliminary final, with the winner to play in the grand final against either Oakleigh or Caulfield.
Geisler said they have to keep building on what they’ve done in the past few weeks.
“We’ve got to keep believing in what we are producing,” he said. “We’ve got confidence now … there’s different contributors with the bat and we know what we are going to get with the bowlers.”
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