VSDCA: Melton melts in face of Williamstown’s finals heat

Melton’s second XI is done for the season after a horror Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association qualifying final loss to Williamstown at the weekend.

Melton struggled to contain Williamstown on Saturday, with the home side flying to 8-305 before Melton collapsed on the Sunday to be all out for 119.

Williamstown finished three games ahead of Melton at the end of the regular season, and that form gap showed on Saturday with the home side building steady partnerships all the way through its innings.

Opener Cameron Smith (66), wicketkeeper Cam D’Altera (56) and Jordan Doyle (83) formed the backbone of the innings.

Melton’s bowlers struggled for consistency, but Jake Charge and Tom Cullum took three wickets each.

In reply, Melton rarely looked like threatening the total. The early wicket of Jesse Merlo (2) was followed by the biggest stand of the innings, between Matthew Stead (33) and Stuart Wilson (31).

But that was as good as it got for the Lions, with Tom Rogers (30) the only other batsman to reach double figures as Melton’s finals campaign ended at the first hurdle.