By Tara Murray
Darley’s tough run in the Ballarat Cricket Association continued with yet another loss on Saturday, this time to North Ballarat.
Having lost their opening four matches, the Lions were hoping to break through for their first win on Saturday.
But their struggles with the bat continued and they weren’t able to post a high enough total to make a real game of it.
The Lions looked to be travelling OK early on at 2-53, before losing 6-27 to crumble to 8-80.
While they managed to bat out their overs, losing only one more wicket, the total of 9-130 didn’t look like it would be enough.
Joel Cadman top scored for a second straight week, making 36, while three top order players got starts but weren’t able to go on with it.
Ashley McCafferty was the destroyer for North Ballarat, taking 5-21.
The Lions needed early wickets and wickets quickly, but it wasn’t to be the case.
Photo Gallery: Darley vs North Ballarat
North Ballarat never looked in trouble as all of its top order got starts and were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
They went on to make 4-133, hitting the winning runs with seven and half overs remaining.
Ben Longhurst, Bradley Barnes, Ryan Ali and Corey Beaton were the wicket takers for the Lions.
After five rounds, the Lions are one of two teams without a win, the other Napoleons-Sebastopol.
This week the competition switches to the T20 format for three rounds, with the Lions facing Ballarat-Redan at home.
