Melton isn’t changing its focus despite putting itself in a position to battle for a finals spot in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
After struggling the past couple of seasons, the Lions already have more wins on the board than they did for all of last season.
While they started the second part of the season on Saturday with another win, coach Damian Costigan said they were keeping it simple.
“Finals would be nice but what we are most proud of is that we’re doing a lot of things right,” he said.
“From where we have been to where we want to be, we’ve got to keep doing things right and what we can control and results will come.
“The improvement from last year to this year we’re heading in the right direction.”
Costigan said to have both their first and second XI sides come back after the break and get wins was impressive.
He said the confidence among the group continues to build.
“The group we have has worked on their game over the Christmas break,” he said.
“We’re really happy with the results and the way that they’ve come back.”
The Lions started Saturday’s match with Box Hill a bit slowly but were able to build into the game.
They were able to bowl Box Hill out for just 96.
“We weren’t great early,” Costigan said. “There were a few extra and boundaries that we don’t normally have.
“Dylan Jobson, Lachlan Peterson and Joel Mitchener slowly turned the tide and got wickets and got us back into the game.
“They played their roles.”
Peterson and Brad Jones took three wickets each for the Lions.
Costigan said there was some inconsistent bounce in the pitch and the batting group had to work hard to ensure they didn’t throw their wickets away.
The Lions were able to chase the total down with ease, finishing 3-97 in the 23rd over.
Costigan said it was nice to get the chase down without losing too many wickets.
Simon Blanks top scored with 30 while Jason Hibbert finished 29 not out to get the side home.
The Lions sit in ninth spot after nine rounds, but are just one win off fourth spot.
Meanwhile, the Lions second XI sits in fourth spot with several players pushing for a change in the top grade.
James Leach made 106 not out on Saturday in the second XI to continue to push his case.
Costigan said they hadn’t had the competition for spots for a number of years which was really promising.
It’ll be a few big weeks for the Lions with three of their players coaching the club’s under-15 J G Craig Shield side.
Costigan said they felt they had a talented squad and were keen to see what they could do over the next few weeks.
The Lions women’s side will resume their season this Saturday against Point Cook Centrals.
