By Tara Murray
Darley didn’t have it all its own way, but still came away with the points in the Ballarat Cricket Association against Naps-Sebas on Saturday.
Sitting undefeated, the Lions were made to work hard for runs before their bowling attack stood up strong to seal the win.
Lions coach Brian Wheelahan, who wasn’t at the game, said by all reports it was a tough match.
The Lions batted first and made 8-153 from their 50 overs.
“It wasn’t an easy game,” he said. “It was a really tough deck to bat on and we were under at 2-5.
Jake Wilkie, who we just brought in, batted really well when we needed someone to.
“He stuck around and we’re rapt for him.”
Wilkie finished with 42, while Hasitha Wickramasinghe contributed a handy 35 not out coming in at number nine Wheelahan said they thought they were about 20 runs short of having a competitive total.
The Lions bowlers, though, would get the job done, restricting Naps-Sebas to 8-134.
The bowlers shared the wickets around with five of the seven bowlers taking wickets, with no one taking more than two.
Wheelahan said the bowling unit continues to keep finding a way to get the job done.
“It’s a struggle to single one of them out,” he said.
“They all bowled well and they bowled well in partnerships and we were able to manufacture the win.”
The win means the Lions have all but sealed their finals spot with three rounds remaining.
Wheelahan said there was still plenty of work to do, as they return to red ball cricket for the final three rounds.
“It’s been a long time and it’s good to get back to the two-dayers,” he said.
“We want to continue to play our cricket and build up. We’ve had some really good performances with the bat from Harry Killoran and Danza Hyatt but we can’t be relying on them and we have spoken about it.
“We bat deep and bowl really well with seven or eight blokes we can throw the ball to.
“The morale is great and we’re looking forward to the next six weeks.”
Wheelahan said there would be plenty of pressure on the top side, with five or six players in the second XI pushing for spots.
Joel Cadman and Lachlan Herring are among those who played in the second XI on the weekend.
“It’s the worst part of my job, we can only select 11 players,” he said.
“Jamo [Hayden Jamieson] came up before Christmas and made a 70 and we brought in Wilkie and had got a tough 40 when we needed it.
“The whole playing group is on notice and that they have to contribute. It’s definitely a positive.”
