A lower-order partnership saved Darley from a disastrous score in the Ballarat Cricket Association on Saturday.
The fightback gives the Lions a chance to pull off an unlikely win against Ballarat-Redan.
In what were always going to be tough batting conditions, Darley was sent in after losing the toss and it didn’t take long for the pressure to build.
Harry Killoran was the first to go, to opening bowler Simon Allan. He was followed by first drop Richard Moore soon after, and the wicket of Matt Cape eight runs later had the Lions in all sorts of trouble at 3-20.
There was no respite as they lost five for 18 to crash to 8-42.
Staring down the barrel of an uncompetitive score, Drew Locke and David Hoey stepped up.
The tailenders combined for a vital 59-run stand with Locke making 33 while Hoey supported him, hitting two boundaries in his 29.
The partnership lifted the Lions to 101 before they succumbed in the 64th over.
Darley coach Heath Pritchard knew it was going to be a tough day at the office for his batsmen.
“It was a bad toss to lose,” he said. “It was a green wicket so it was always going to be tough … we tried to hang in there but just kept nicking out.
“Drew and Dave did a great job and with 100 on the board we’re always a chance.”
The run chase was anything but smooth sailing for Ballarat-Redan, which was two wickets down at stumps.
Pritchard was the destroyer, removing Billy Jones and Chris Egan cheaply.
Ballarat-Redan finished at 2-20 and requires another 82 runs when play resumes this week.
“I think 120 or 130 would have been a super score,” Pritchard said.
“We are going to need to get early wickets this week ; it’s as simple as that.
“We need to try and put them on the back foot straight away.
“If we can get them three or four for 30 or 40 we’ll be right in the game.”
