By Tara Murray
Melton kept its finals hopes alive after an improved performance on Saturday in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
After a couple of tough weeks when the side slipped out of the top six, the Lions regrouped on Saturday against Altona.
Altona won the toss and elected to bat and the Lions’ bowlers got down to work – bowling the A’s out for 122 to be in control after day one.
Lions coach Nathan Geisler said he was pleased with their performance with the ball.
“It was a good day, we bowled really well,” he said.
“We spoke during the week that the focus on Saturday was to do whatever we had to do well and give ourselves the best opportunity heading into day two.
“It took a number of overs to get them out, but when we weren’t taking wickets, they weren’t scoring runs.
“We took most of our chances and set ourselves up for next week.”
Photo Gallery: Altona vs Melton
Jake Charge was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-34.
Geisler said Adrian Monitto and Prabath Priyankara also bowled well. Priyankara took the key wickets of Altona skipper Adam Yates and Greg Sheehan.
While more than happy with restricting the A’s to 122, Geisler let the rest of the side know the challenge is still ahead of them.
Batting has been the Lions downfall this season, especially in recent weeks as they’ve struggled to chase down totals.
The Lions will resume at 2-21, with the game still in their favour. Ash Sweet was 10 not out at stumps while Dylan Clarke is on five not out after the Lions changed the batting line-up around to try and keep the top batsmen in the shed for day two.
Pawan Wickramasinghe and David Dickinson are the batsmen out.
Geisler said they were sticking to the basics in their campaign to return to the winners’ list.
The ninth-placed Lions, who sit a game outside the top six, need a win and other results to go their way to keep their finals hopes alive.
Two of those sides the Lions are fighting against are Yarraville and Ormond, who play each other this week.
The other side competing for a finals spot is Elsternwick, who need 240 for victory against Williamstown.
“It wasn’t ideal losing two wickets, but we’re still in a good position,” Geisler said.
“We’ve got 101 to get and we’re just focusing on that. We’re confident of getting the runs and hopefully we should get the six points.
“Hopefully conditions suit us and we can get the runs.”
MORE VSDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/hoppers-crossings-bats-big-challenge/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/werribee-delights-in-a-pre-finals-bowling-challenge/
