Melton has started its season in fine form with a strong first-up performance against Kew in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west division.
After no play in week one of the game, due to play being called off with not enough pitches ready, both sides were looking to get their seasons under way on a winning note.
After winning the toss, Melton chose to bowl and took two early wickets to have Kew at 2-46.
The third wicket partnership of David Wildsmith and Christopher Weeks was the key for Kew.
They put on 140 runs to take back control of the game.
Once that stand was broken, the Lions picked up wickets to restrict Kew to 6-231.
Brad Jones and Ash Sweet took two wickets apiece, while Lions coach Nathan Geisler was impressed with the efforts of Dylan Clarke, who took one wicket.
The Lions started well with the bat and all but one batsman scored double figures as the Lions easily chased down the runs. They finished on 7-232 with two overs to spare.
Geisler, who didn’t play, said it was a good start to the season against a strong Kew outfit.
“We chased it down pretty comfortably,” he said.
“The top four all got starts and the guys who came through the middle backed them up.
“The run rate was five all day and we stuck with it.
“We were confident that if we got to bat the overs, we would chase down the total.”
David Kirk top scored with 63, while Ben MacRae, Anthony Gale and Nathan Taylor all scored 26 or above.
The Lions will play their first home match this weekend when they take on Werribee.
Werribee suffered a first-up loss at the hands of Preston.
The Melton women’s side suffered a first-round loss in Victorian Premier Cricket seconds on Sunday. Chasing Ringwood’s 8-260, the Lions could make only 132.
Meanwhile, the Lions are still looking for players for their all-abilities side.
The team will play its first game on Sunday against St Johns at MacPherson Park. Anyone interested in playing should contact Kevin on 0408 356 850.
