Tara Murray
Darley got back on the winners list in the Ballarat Cricket Association on Saturday against Ballarat Redan.
After win first up, the Lions struggled against Brown Hill in the third round after round two was washed out.
On Saturday, the Lions took a step forward against Ballarat Redan with both the bat and ball.
Lions coach Nathan Yates said they were slowly getting there.
“It was a hard fought win,” he said. “We weren’t at our best but we were able to get over the line, that is the main thing.
“We have the nucleus of a good team but we have a bit of work to make it all gel together.”
On Saturday, the Lions got sent in.
They made 193 as they were bowled out of the final ball of the innings.
Sajith Dissanayaka top scored with 34 as no batter could go on with it.
“We were looking good early,” Yates said. “We lost our way in the middle a little but our tail got us over the line.
“Ben Longhurst, our number 11, is one of the best number 11s you could have.”
Ballarat Redan started well and were in control at 2-126.
The Lions bowlers then took 8-41 to bowl Ballarat Redan out for 167. Dissanayaka took 6-32 for the Lions.
Yates said their bowling and fielding was good as they did the right things and took the opportunities when they arose.
The win takes the Lions to a 2-1 record. Yates said they would have liked to have been 3-0, but it had still been a good start to the season.
The Lions now face East Ballarat in a Saturday-Sunday clash this weekend.
Yates said it would be a good challenge for them.
Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh suffered its first loss of the season, losing to Mt Clear.
A solid start, the Bulls had themselves in a good opportunity to launch their innings at 3-115.
The lower order crumbed and they were all out for 144 in the 43rd over.
Mt Clear had little trouble in the run chase and made the runs with 4.1 overs remaining. Mt Clear finished 4-147.
It was all single wicket takers for the Bulls.
The Bulls sit in third spot after four rounds, ahead of Darley on quotient.
The Bulls this weekend face Napoleons Sebastopol.
Both Darley’s and Bacchus Marsh’s women’s sides had the weekend off, with a competition bye in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s league.
After three rounds, the Lions sit on top ahead of Darley with both sides undefeated.
