Melton further highlighted its sub-district cricket premiership credentials on Saturday by knocking off top-of-the-table Plenty Valley on the first day of a two-day match.
After losing the toss, the Lions had no issues bowling first and dominating the Plenty Valley batting line-up.
Picture gallery: Melton v Plenty Valley VSDCA
Brad Jones’s figures of 4-30 would normally earn top honours with the ball, but this time they were overshadowed by captain Nathan Allen’s 4-4 from 5.4 overs.
Sean Ayres was the only Plenty Valley batsman to make any impact on the scoreboard, top-scoring with 28.
Only two other batsmen made it to double figures and the innings came to an end with the score on 61.
With plenty of time left, Melton set about reeling in the target.
And all looked to be going well at 0-15 until Ayres returned to try to lift his team again.
The first-change bowler removed Melton’s top five batsmen to leave the Lions struggling at 5-29.
With the Lions needing runs from the lower order, it was Nathan Allen who stood up once again.
He added a vital 33 and the Lions secured the win for the loss of seven wickets.
Melton went on to declare at 9-78 and with the Bats reaching 0-20 in their second innings by stumps, the Lions will bowl again this weekend with a lead of 17.
Mick Allen appeals for a wicket against Plenty Valley. Photo: Damian Visentini
Other sub-district results
It was also a tough day at the office for Sunshine, which conceded first-innings points against Altona.
Batting first, the Crows were in all sorts of early danger, slipping to 5-19, with Altona opening bowler Andrew McCammond doing the damage by taking all five wickets.
And there was no respite even when McCammond took a break, as James Grubb took 3-4 in 3.5 overs and Sunshine was bowled out for 38.
In reply, Altona had no trouble chasing down the small target before declaring at 4-102 with a lead of 64. Sunshine was 0-20 in the second innings.
Altona is sixth on the ladder but an outright win this week could catapult it as high as third.
