By Tara Murray
Things finally clicked with the bat for Melton in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west competition.
After starting to show some good signs in the past two weeks, the Lions put it together against Williamstown on Saturday.
It came at the perfect time against one of the top sides in the competition.
The Lions made 6-269, their highest score of the season.
Lions director of coaching Anthony Gale said it was really good to see the group able to put it together.
“It was very good and I haven’t got to say that too often this season,” he said.
“They’ve continued on with what they’ve been doing the last couple of weeks.
“We’ve had good players getting starts and getting out in other games.”
Ben MacRae was the star for the Lions, making 120 not out, batting through the whole innings.
After four scores of more than 20, it’s the first time this season he’s been able to go on with it and make a big score.
“Ben was able to go on with it and bat the day,” Gale said. “He is a good player and often when he gets starts he will convert them.”
MacRae and Nathan Taylor had a strong third wicket partnership to give the Lions a good base of 2-100 at tea.
Taylor finished on 51.
Gale said after showing glimpses in most matches, which includes five scores between 26 and 52, Taylor was due for a big score.
Nathan D’antonio had a cameo innings at the end, with 41 not out off 46 balls.
Gale said the innings showed the importance of batting out your overs and putting a decent score on the board.
“It’s a good score and for the loss of only six wickets,” he said.
“It’s hard to win games when you don’t bat out your overs. You’re in the game all day with 270 on the board.
“You could be behind at tea and then a couple of wickets gets you back into the game.”
A win would make it two in a row for the Lions and push them back up the ladder and into the finals mix.
Gale said they know how important it is to put multiple wins together in the context of their season.
Melton is currently 10th, nine points outside the top six. It will be a tough ask with the Seagulls sitting in second spot with one loss.
“We need to bowl consistently and take our chances,” Gale said.
The Lions’ second XI made 167 with Gale top scoring with 55. Williamstown is 2-33 in reply.
The third XI is chasing 342 against Brunswick, while the fourths have already conceded the points against Brunswick.
