Tara Murray
Melton continues to impress as it chalked up another victory in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
While rain and wet grounds played havoc across the competition, the Lions produced one of their best bowling performances against second placed Box Hill.
The Lions went into day two slightly disappointed after a late batting collapse on day one. They eventually made 210, bowled out with more than 10 overs to spare.
Lions coach Mitch Stephens said they were pretty confident of getting on and playing on day two, with only a small wet piece on the pitch a concern.
Once out there, the Lions showed what they could do, bowling Box Hill out for just 79 in the 48th over.
Stephens said the day definitely didn’t play out the way they thought it would.
“We thought it would be a tough battle that would go late into the day, but it went the other way,” he said.
“We were helped by the way that Box Hill played, we were a bit confused. Their tactic was to be really defensive and we took our chances when they came.”
Stephens said while they were confused about Box Hill’s game plan they were able to stick to theirs and it worked in their favour,
“It was nice for the bowlers to be able to bowl one side of the wicket and bowl with consistent line and length,” he said.
“We stuck to the task and played the way we wanted to.”
Stephens said the bowlers bowled really well as a group.
Andrew Reid-Dick took 3-34 off his overs, while Brad Jones took 2-9 off 12.2 overs and Stephen Wiig took 1-6 off his eight overs.
Stephens said the win helps the group’s confidence grow any further that they can beat any side in the competition.
“We spoke about taking it just one week at time and preparing to play who you play next,” he said.
“We play pretty simple cricket. We can beat anyone and it shows what we are doing is working.”
With only three games being played on day two, the results and luck fell in the favour of Melton.
While the Lions sit in ninth spot, they are now only a game outside the top six with three rounds remaining.
Despite being in the finals mix, Stephens said they really hadn’t spoken about it. He said they continue to look at it one week at a time.
“We still sit outside the top six,” he said. “To get in there we have to beat Balwyn, who is up there, Yarraville and Williamstown.
“We are just focused on Yarraville this week, which is a Saturday-Sunday game. It should be good.”
It was a disappointing day for the Lions second XI which let slip a great chance for victory against Box Hill.
After being 2-120 chasing 260, the side lost 8-30 to be all out for 140.
Stephens said they would make a big focus of batting at training how they would in a game and putting value on the wicket.
