The bowlers had a field day at MacPherson Park on Saturday in the Victorian Sub-district Cricket Association north-west clash between Melton and Werribee.
Just 133 runs were made on day one, as 12 wickets fell – both teams struggling with the bat.
Werribee elected to bat and the Lions dominated from the start, not allowing the Tigers to get any momentum.
Just two Tigers players were able to pass seven as they were restricted to 113 – bowled out in the 55th over.
Lions coach Nathan Geisler was thrilled with how his bowlers played, as just four of them were needed to get the job done.
“It was an interesting day,” he said.
“Brad Jones and Ash Sweet had them in trouble and they [Tigers] were always under the pump.
“When they [Jones and Sweet] came off, Dylan Clarke and Jake Charge played well and kept the pressure on. It was a slow ground and hard to score on.”
Sweet and Jones returned to finish off the job, taking four late wickets between them. Both finished with four wickets each, while Charge and Clarke took one wicket each.
The Lions lost Anthony Gale cheaply when they came in to bat. Skipper Ben MacRae fell with three overs left in the day, leaving the Lions 2-20 at stumps.
David Kirk, 12 not out, and Dylan Clare, without score, will resume on day two.
Having won round one after chasing down a decent run chase, Geisler said he was confident they could do it again.
“It’s still game-on,” he said.
“One good partnership could be enough to get the win. We know we have eight wickets left and we bat right down to 11.
“Everyone can contribute with the bat. It’s nine partnerships of 10 and we get the job done.”
Geisler, who has missed the first two games, said he would be back for the next game.
“Like last season, I will play more of the shorter form games,” he said.
Meanwhile, the women’s side got its first win of the Victorian Premier seconds one-day competition.
The Lions made 3-167 from its overs against Brighton District, with Briony Polkinghorne top-scoring with 78 not out. She put on a 142-run partnership with skipper Nicole Martin who made 53 before being run out.
The Lions bowled Brighton District out for 136 in the 42nd over.
Janelle Hayhurst took four wickets for the Lions.
