Melton’s back part of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west season won’t be defined by how many wins it has on the board.
The Lions have struggled this season with just one win in the Saturday competition and one win in the T20 competition.
Lions coach Damian Costigan said they wanted to continue to build and see improvement as a group and individually.
“We’re seeing what we can get out of the season,” he said. “We want to get some wins in terms of developing the youth.
“We’re excited with what is coming through and we just want to get wins out of the playing list.
“We need to play competitive cricket for longer.”
The Lions two wins so far have come in T20 matches. Costigan said that the shorter format allowed them to take the pressure off.
“We would love a few more,” he said. “The boys have been impressive in the T20 stuff and we have got a couple of wins there.
“They are just enjoying it.
“They have worked hard and are putting in second to none. It’s a reward for them and it boosts morale.”
Melton lost its second match of the T20 competition on Tuesday night, to knock it out of finals contention.
The Lions, who were facing St Bernard’s OC, batted first and were bowled out for 100.
Jack Dickson top scored with 22.
The Snowdogs hit the winning runs with three overs remaining, finishing 3-103.
It was single wicket takers for the Lions.
Costigan said in longer format they need to sustain a higher level for longer and not have as many lapses.
He said they were starting to see some more experienced players come back through the grades including Conrad Farrugia, Alex Kerr and Chris Hopes was helping.
Costigan said the most exciting thing was that there was so much talent in all their sides, it was just a couple of years of putting it altogether.
“It is really exciting more come through in the seconds and thirds as well,” he said. “I’m excited for what the future holds.
“We’ll try and develop some stuff around training and do a lot of workf for the rest of the season.”
In good signs, the Lions under-15 J G Craig Shield side is undefeated after six rounds. The Lions face Werribee in their final pool match on Thursday.
Costigan said coach Joel Mitchener had put a good program in place with many of them already part of the Lions senior program.
The club also had some players in the under-16 Dowling Shield, while they had some success at the Western Region Junior Cricket Association representative teams.
