Melton had a day to forget with the bat against Hoppers Crossing in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west competition.
Looking to seal a top-two spot, the Lions were left to rue the decision to bat against a side looking to sneak into the top six.
The Lions had a number of players reach double figures, but no one was able to go on with it and they were out for 135, with nearly 18 overs remaining.
David Kirk top-scored with 22 as seven players scored between 10 and 22 in a disappointing innings.
Looking for a few late wickets to get the game back on even terms, the Lions bowled tightly but couldn’t get the breakthroughs they were after.
Hoppers Crossing will resume at 1-18, with Brad Jones the wicket-taker for the Lions.
Meanwhile, the Lions became the first team confirmed through to the finals, after an appeal into the result of their round 10 match against Ivanhoe.
The match ended in a draw after day two of the match was abandoned due to a wet pitch, despite perfect sunshine.
The VSDCA found Ivanhoe guilty of not covering the pitch, and awarded Melton the full six points from that game.
The decision means the Lions, who are on top and 21 points clear of seventh, can’t fall outside the top six with two rounds remaining.
