By Tara Murray
Darley against Bacchus Marsh on any sporting field is a big occasion, let alone when the two sides are fighting for a finals spot in the Ballarat Cricket Association.
Entering the final round of the season, Bacchus Marsh sits in fourth spot with Darley sitting two points behind.
As luck would have it, the two local rivals face off against each other in the final round in a two-dayer.
While East Ballarat and Golden Point remain alive in the hunt for finals, they would need outright wins and other results to go their way.
It means a virtual elimination final between Darley and Bacchus Marsh in the final round.
Lions coach Nathan Yates said while they would rather already have secured their spot in the top four, they were just happy to be in with a shot.
He said if they miss out on finals they only have themselves to blame.
“It is how it has panned out,” he said. “We were able to get the win [on Saturday] and have a few results go our way.
“We said to the group, keep winning and the results will take care of itself. If we don’t make it, it’s what it will be.
“We dropped some games earlier in the season, including against Bacchus Marsh, which costs us.
“It will add a bit more spice to a normally spicy affair.”
The Lions have been focusing on what they can and on Saturday, they beat Brown Hill.
Day one of the match was washed out, making it a one-dayer on Saturday.
The Lions batted first and made 8-241 from their overs. Sajith Dissanayaka made 90 at the top of the order.
Yates said they felt that score was above bar.
Brown Hill started well with the bat and were 0-70. They quickly lost six wickets, to crumble to 6-87.
It never recovered and was bowled out for 145. Dilan Chandima took four wickets for the Lions.
Yates said the focus this week was to just continue on the form they had been showing.
“Post-Christmas we have been putting the runs on the board,” he said. “Our batsmen have stood up. Our bowlers have done the job all year.
“We want to continue with that and hopefully put a score on the board and defend it.”
On Saturday, the Bulls had the chance to lock in a top four spot against Buninyong, but fell short.
After day one was washed out, the Bulls made 8-177 from their overs.
Jayden White-Powell top scored with 37 at the top of the order.
At 3-150 the Bunnies were on top before the wickets started to fall.
Buninyong finished 7-178 despite losing four late wickets.
It’s not just the men’s sides that will face each other this weekend, with Bacchus Marsh to host Darley in a Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s league semi final.
Tara Murray
