Tara Murray
The development of the kids will be the positive out of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west season for Melton.
The Lions are without a win heading into the final round, after struggling to match it with the top sides for much of the season.
Lions’ Brad Jones said the season hadn’t panned out how they would have liked it to.
“We would have loved to have a couple of wins on the board,” he said.
“We’ve got games into the young boys, which has been a positive, but we’re not getting the wins on the board.”
Jones said the focus of bringing those players through had been an aim of the club the last couple of seasons and they were starting to see some in roads.
He said many of them were 18 or 19 and getting first XI games against much more experienced opposition and the next step was getting wins on the board.
“We want to get as much experience as possible into the young blokes,” he said.
“A lot have stood up and got some really good things out of the season.
“Alex Kerr has a bit of an injury, so he’s not bowling at the moment but he has stepped up to open the batting. A few more have had debuts, like Jeremy Walker, Riley Norris and Josh Oldfield.
“We’re not getting success now, but the future looks good.”
Jones, who missed several games which didn’t help the side, said the club was keen to add more experience to the side next season.
He said they lacked depth in the bowling, but some experienced top order batters were what they needed most.
On Saturday, the Lions lost to Port Melbourne.
The Lions were bowled out for 154 in the final over. Conrad Farrugia top scored with 46.
Port Melbourne made the runs with five overs remaining, finishing 7-155.
John Jensen, Dylan Jobson and Kasun Suriaratchie took two wickets each.
Jones said they were in the game and had a massive chance, but couldn’t finish the game off, which he put down to lack of experience.
Only one of the club’s top four sides, the fourth XI, will play finals this season.
It was a big weekend for the Lions, as Kevin Vernon played his 600th game for the club.
Vernon, who was the president for more than 30 years, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in recent years, played in one of the club’s all-abilities sides to reach the milestone.
The club had a fundraising day for MND on the day.
“Kevin is everything to the club,” Jones said. “I’ve been here 13 years and ever since I’ve been here he’s been here every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
“He was president for 33 years and if not for him and Butch [Anthony Gale] we would not be here.
“There was a couple of 100 people here.
The Lions will finish off their season against Werribee on Saturday.
