Melton’s Sub District Cricket premiership dream is over after the Lions were eliminated from the finals by Plenty Valley at the weekend.
With a place in the north-west grand final on the line, the Bats took control of the match at AK Line Reserve on day one when they amassed a huge total after winning the toss.
Plenty Valley smashed 7-345 on the back of a stunning innings from 42-year-old opener Sean Ayres, who made a brilliant 149.
Fellow opener Kamalesh Murugsan made 75 as the pair combined for a partnership of 148.
Melton speedster Brad Jones eventually got Murugsan’s wicket, but by then the damage was done.
Plenty Valley’s middle order cashed in on the hot start, propelling the total to more than 300.
Melton captain Nathan Allen was the Lions’ only multiple wicket-taker, finishing the innings with 3-60.
In reply, Melton was unable to get close to the total with Ayres returning to cause more havoc on day two.
Showing no signs of fatigue from his batting performance, he took 6-68 to cap off a brilliant individual match.
The result means the Bats move into the grand final, where they will take on Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows.
After finishing the home-and-away season on top of the ladder, Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows continued its run of good form with a comprehensive win against Altona in their semi-final at Lakeside Drive.
The A’s were bowled out for 99 in their first innings, a target the Falcons passed with four wickets in hand.
Lee Elmore (26) and James Grubb (20) were the only Altona batsmen to reach 20.
The grand final will be played at Lakeside Drive Reserve on Friday and Saturday.
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