An 80-run partnership between two teenagers gave Darley the perfect start to the season in Ballarat Cricket Association A-grade on Saturday.
After being set 154 for victory by Brown Hill, the match was in the balance with the Lions at 3-65.
Enter Harry Killoran and Zac Ticehurst. The pair of 18-year-olds guided Darley through to 3-145 to hand the Lions an opening-round win against last year’s premiers.
Darley went on to make 4-164 before stumps was called.
Killoran, an opening batsman from England, finished on 77 from 169 balls, including 12 boundaries. Wicketkeeper Ticehurst was unbeaten on 36.
Darley coach Heath Pritchard was full of praise for them. “What the boys were able to do was fantastic,” he said.
“They really sealed the game for us. I’ve known Harry since he was a little kid. In my first year playing cricket in England he was three years old.
“He’s obviously a very good off-spinner, but I’ve always thought he can be a very good batsman, too. That’s why we’re giving him that opportunity … he played the role perfectly.”
The pair’s mature batting display completed a near-perfect performance for the Lions.
When Darley bowled, Pritchard and Matthew Cape took three wickets each, while speedster Brian Wheelahan claimed two.
After relying on one or two individuals last year, Pritchard said he was impressed to see his side sharing the workload.
“There’s no doubt the club has relied on Matt Cape a lot in the past,” he said. “While we will still rely on him because he’s such a good player, I hope we can share the load a bit.
“The most pleasing thing was some of our fielding. We took some bloody good catches.
“All I ask for is that the guys contribute in the game no matter what happens; on Saturday, all 11 blokes contributed in some way.”
Having seen the back of one finals contender already, Darley’s start to the season isn’t going to get easier this week.
The Lions will take on last year’s finalist Wendouree, who smashed Coronet City at the weekend.
“Wendouree has been a good team for a long time,” Pritchard said.
“The most exciting thing for us is that we get to see how good we are. We know we need to bring our A-game again and, if we do that, we’re a chance.”
