An improved bowling and fielding effort is making Melton a tough customer in the countdown to Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association finals.
While the Lions won’t be joining the finals action in March, their exploits with the ball since Christmas have had a major impact.
Melton knocked off finals aspirant Altona in the first match back from the break, defending a score of just 99.
Carrying on the good form, the Lions were ultra-competitive against Brighton last week as they look to finish a tough year on a high.
Melton coach Michael Alexander praised his team’s young players for continuing to show fight.
“We’ve been rapt with the bowling and fielding effort. They have been outstanding the past couple of games,” he said.
“The wickets have been shared around, too. The younger guys have really stepped up; it hasn’t been just one going through opposition sides.”
A leader with the ball has been Jake Charge. The medium-fast bowler has been a force since being called up from the second XI in mid-December.
Twelve wickets have come from his past four matches, including a bag of five earlier this month.
“He’s really stringing some consistent performances together and getting the results, which is great to see,” Alexander said. “The thing he needs to do over the off-season is get a bit bigger and stronger because he can certainly swing the ball.”
Also impressive for the Lions has been Paul Halfhide, who was in the third XI at the start of December. He’s taken four wickets in his two first-grade matches since being promoted.
But the standout has been stalwart opening bowler Brad Jones, with a handy 26 scalps.
Alexander wants the bowlers’ efforts to be matched by bigger scores with the bat.
Melton’s total of 1397 runs for the season is the second-lowest in the VSDCA south-west division.
“I think it’s an experience thing, a concentration thing,” the coach said. “We’ve had some poor decision-making. The good sides do that really well and we have lacked in that area all year. We just need one or two guys to go on with it in each game.”
Melton will finish its 2015-16 campaign with matches against Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Oakleigh.
