Tara Murray
Melton is finally on the board in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west.
After a tough first part of the season, the Lions showed what they can do when they put it all together, beating Coburg.
It was an all-round performance that left coach Mitch Stephens pretty happy on Saturday night.
“It was really good,” he said. “It was a reward for the hard work that they’ve been putting in.
“They’ve been working hard on the track and the break came at a good time.
“With the weather before Christmas we had missed a lot of cricket, we needed a mental refresh.
“The boys put in the extras over the Christmas break.”
The Lions won the toss and decided to bat, producing their best batting performance of the season, making 4-204 from their overs.
Stephens said being able to bat out the overs made a big difference.
“Coming off last year we won a lot of games because we batted out our full allotment of overs and not leaving runs out there.
“Benny MacRae got back in the runs which was really pleasing.”
MacRae finished 99 not out from 120 balls. Brenton Cook chipped in with 53 at the top of the order.
Stephens said having 200 on the board gave their bowlers something decent to defend and put the pressure back on Coburg.
“Aaron Ayres and Aaron Shellie are both pretty aggressive and confident bowlers,” he said.
“Benny and the bowlers were able to set some attacking fields. Joel Mitchener and Stephen Shields played their roles in the middle overs..
“The game could have got away from us, but we were able to stay in it.”
Michener and Shields both finished with three wickets each.
The win moves Melton off the bottom of the ladder, with the side now in 15th spot.
Stephens is hoping this will kick start their season.
“The group needed a bit of belief,” he said. “Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.”
