By Tara Murray
Melton needs an improved performance with the bat if it is to keep its finals hopes alive in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
While the Lions are only percentage outside the top six, their form – especially with the bat – has been patchy.
That was evident again on Saturday against Williamstown, with the Lions losing by 98 runs.
Needing 239 for victory, the Lions were bundled out for 140.
Lions coach Nathan Geisler was frustrated by his side’s performance.
“It was disappointing,” he said. “It was always a tough run chase, but we were 8-80 and were lucky to get to 140.
“We didn’t apply ourselves … we lost two early wickets and then lost 6-20-odd in the middle.”
The Lions’ 10th wicket partnership was their biggest of the day; it put on 60. Ash Sweet scored most of them, making 53.
Opener Ben MacRae had earlier made 31.
Geisler said all the team’s batsmen seemed to have issues when it came to two-day cricket.
“We seem to be losing wickets in clumps,” he said.
“We’re either four down for not many or losing them in the middle order. We need to be eliminating that … we spoke about it after the game.
“It’s more a mindset sort of thing, as I think we have the skill.”
Despite their struggles, the Lions remain in the finals mix.
Geisler said the most frustrating thing was that if they had been batting to their potential, they could well and truly be cemented in the top six.
“There are four or five sides fighting for that sixth spot,” he said.
“If we win all three of our games, we will play finals.
“It’s been disappointing that we’ve lost those last two and haven’t sealed a spot.”
The Lions will this week face Yarraville, which moved into the top six at the expense of the Lions at the weekend.
The two teams are equal on points.
Geisler said the club would likely stick with the same players.
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www.starweekly.com.au/sports/taylors-lakes-toils-hard-but-for-no-reward/
