By Tara Murray
Darley’s strong early season form has continued with the Lions getting their third win of the Ballarat Cricket Association season.
Having not played an official match the past two rounds due to the weather, the Lions were eager to get back on the pitch.
The Lions bowlers did the job early, setting up the win against Golden Point. Lions coach Brian Wheelahan said he was rapt with the win.
“It’s been weird the last month with not much cricket,” he said.
“I think the players were getting a little bit frustrated. You can’t control the weather, so to get back out there and come away with the win, we’re rapt.”
Wheelhan said an intra club match between the first and second XI sides last week had paid off in helping get the players some time in the middle.
At the weekend, Golden Point won the toss and elected to bat and was faced with a fired-up Ben Longhurst. Longhurst was playing his first match of the season after a calf injury.
“Ben was outstanding,” Wheelahan said. “He had them under the pump at 4-14, having taken the wickets of the top four batsmen.
“He was outstanding and was consistently asking the question.”
The Lions bowled Golden Point out for just 119. Longhurst finished with 4-21 off his 10 overs.
Rahmatullah Khwaja chipped in with three wickets.
The Lions got the runs but it wasn’t without the loss of a few wickets, finishing 6-121.
Harry Killoran steadied the innings for the Lions, making 52 before running himself out.
The win has Darley sitting second, one of two undefeated teams after five rounds.
Wendouree is the other undefeated team. Wheelahan said they were happy with how things are travelling.
“I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “The guys have confidence and we believe our best competes against anyone. There is still room for improvement.
“We still haven’t put together a polished performance with the bat and ball.”
Wheelahan said the depth within the club was massive, with pressure on players to perform.
The Lions’ second side lost their first match of the season on Saturday.
The Lions are hoping they finally get the chance to kick off some red ball cricket this weekend, with their last two-day match washed out.
Darley faces Buninyong in a two-day match starting on Sunday.
In other results, East Ballarat defeated Brown Hill, Mt Clear had an easy win against Naps-Sebas, Buninyong defeated North Ballarat and Wendouree had a big win against Ballarat-Redan.
