Melton is growing in confidence as the hard work is turning into results in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
The Lions already have more wins than they did for the whole of last season and find themselves in a good position after day one of its clash with Endeavour Hills.
Lions coach Damien Costigan said it was just really pleasing to see what was happening early in the season.
“It’s enjoyable,” he said. “We’re playing good cricket at the moment.
“They’ve been working hard at training and there’s a really good vibe at the moment.
“I knew what the playing group was capable of and I was always confident.
“We’re getting some actually having a say in games and now winning some games.”
Costigan said after all the hard work the group put in during the off season he was rapt to see it turn into performances on the field.
He said the playing group was giving themselves the opportunity to get some wins on the board.
On Saturday, Ben MacRae and Jason Hibbert set up one of the Lions best totals in a number of seasons.
The Lions made 282 as they were bowled out in the 77th over.
Hibbert in his first century for the club, finished with 133, while MacRae made 100.
“Ben has been amazing for a long period of time for the club,” Costigan said. “He’s had a slower start to the season so it was fantastic to see him get 100.
“JJ, it was awesome to see what he did yesterday [Saturday]. He’s come in at number three and stepped up and we needed players to step up.
“Over the years Ben has carried a heavy workload so to see what Jason is doing, I’m rapt for him.”
Costigan said the next step for the group would be batting out their overs, but said the batting group did the right thing late in the day to push the run rate.
He said the group pushed to get as many on the board as they could.
Endeavour Hills will resume this Saturday at 1-22.
Brad Jones has the wicket for the Lions.
“I’m rapt after the day’s play,” Costigan said.
It’s not just the Lions first XI that is building, with there some strong results across the board.
Costigan said things were going well across all the grades.
“Our second XI has won three in a row and our thirds are winning games.
The fourth XI beat Hoppers Crossing last week which was on top of the ladder and are in a good position this week.
“All our turf side and both our hard wicket sides are winning games and are in the mix.”
The Lions women on Sunday fell short against the Greenvale Kangaroos in the Cricket Victoria Community Cricket Competition shield (1).
Melton made 4-113 from its overs with the Kangaroos getting the winning runs in the 21st over, finishing 3-114.
