Melton is enjoying a winning feeling after a third straight win in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west division.
Struggling with the bat on day one against Mt Waverley, the Lions were hoping their bowlers would continue their season’s good form.
Defending 163, the Lions bowled Mt Waverley out for 147 on Saturday.
Lions playing coach Nathan Geisler had said after day one that he would back his bowlers in to get the job done.
He wasn’t disappointed.
“We bowled really well to restrict them,” he said.
“If we had been in this position last season, we wouldn’t have got the win.
“Winning culture is a good thing – we’re hoping to take it into the final game before Christmas. We’re on a bit of a role and we want to keep it going.”
Ashley Sweet continued his good form for the Lions, taking four wickets, while off-spinner Dylan Clarke made the most of his opportunities to also take four.
“Dylan came on and took wickets of guys who were set and got the momentum in our direction,” Geisler said.
“He got a bit more of an opportunity in this game. He hadn’t had the opportunities he would have liked in the earlier games, with our fast bowlers playing so well.”
Sitting fourth on the ladder, the Lions will play Werribee in a one-day clash on Saturday.
The Lions are likely to welcome back star batsman Ben MacRae and key bowler Brad Jones, who both missed the match against Mt Waverley.
“With Werribee’s ground not available the game will be played at our ground,” Geisler said. “It’s always a good game against them.
“It’s a very even competition and we’re just worrying about the team that we’re playing each week.”
A win against Werribee would give the Lions one outright and four first-innings wins in the first six rounds.
After struggling last season, the Lions are more than happy with that sort of record.
“You try to bank as many runs as possible before Christmas,” Geisler said.
“If we can have five and a half wins before Christmas, that will be fantastic. It’s very tight from one to eight, so it’s important to get wins.”
The Melton women’s side had an easy win against Plenty Valley in Premier seconds T20.
The Lions bowled the Bats out for 53, before making the runs needed in 7.5 overs without losing a wicket.
The Lions are undefeated in the T20 competition.
