Melton’s bowlers shared the load to secure a first-round, 10-run win against Yarraville on Saturday in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The Lions won the East-West First XI clash at Yarraville Oval thanks to a flurry of middle-order wickets after Yarraville had started strongly in its pursuit of Melton’s 8-224, set the previous weekend.
Brad Jones and Nathan Allen claimed three wickets each as Yarraville was dismissed for 214 in the 76th over.
Yarraville was well ahead of the run rate required but ran out of wickets after squandering a strong start. The opening partnership put on 94 before Lions coach Nathan Geisler broke through to snare Brad Shaw for 48.
Allen claimed Dan Saville for 45 without addition to the score, before Jones went to work on the middle order. The squeeze yielded 6-29 for Melton in a collapse that left Yarraville the underdog.
Tim McRae (32no) tried to hold the tail together, but Jones claimed No.10 Ryan Cox (16) before James Wheelahan sealed victory by trapping No.11 Nick Parish lbw. Melton will play its first match at MacPherson Park in a two-dayer starting this Saturday against Williamstown.
In second XI, Stuart Wilson (60no) steered Melton to a comfortable one-day win against Yarraville by seven wickets.
Dylan Clarke took four wickets and Matthew Stead three as Yarraville was bowled out for 115.
Wilson’s knock from No.3 steadied the Melton chase after two early wickets as the Lions reached 3-118 by the 32nd over.
In third XI, Melton’s 91 was enough to beat Yarraville, which scored just 85 in reply.
Nathan Dantonio (39) stepped up as Melton wobbled to 6-33, before Jarrod Thomson (4-9), Nathan Stephens (2-10) and James Challis (2-17) secured a winning total.
In fourth XI, Melton’s 4-121 was not enough, with Yarraville making 9-127 in reply.
Jordan Kight (50no) top scored for Melton, while Kight (2-24) and Connor Charge (2-17) were best of the bowlers.
