Nathan Allen drives through covers for Melton on Saturday. 88817_05 Picture: MATHEW LYNN
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
MELTON edged out Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows by a single run in a one-day VSDCA thriller at MacPherson Park Oval on Saturday.
It came down to the final ball as the Lions managed to hold on after setting the Falcons a target of 202 for victory within 45 overs.
There were no early signs of a tight contest as Melton flew out of the blocks with openers Michael Allen and Michael Alexander clocking up 103 runs between them for the first wicket.
That first wicket eventually fell with Allen caught behind for 57 before Alexander followed for a total of 54.
The Lions looked to be in good shape at 2/127, however soon after Anthony Gale was sent packing for 20, the runs quickly dried up.
Middle order batsmen Jeremy Liddy and Nick Gale were both dismissed for ducks, leaving Melton on 5/162.
Nathan Allen was able to salvage the innings when he came in, hitting a quick-fire 16 to ultimately help get the Lions over the 200-mark for the loss of seven wickets.
Melton coach Duncan Harrison told Star his side chose to bat first expecting to at least reach 190.
“The wicket was terrific and the outfield was fantastic, so we batted first and I think about 190 to 200 was about par,” Harrison said.
“We lost our way a little bit in the middle, and then there was a rush in the end where we lost a few wickets, so we’ve certainly got some things to work on.
“But I suppose after the start we had, we probably should have got a few more runs. We should’ve got 20 or 30 more.”
The VSDCA South/West defending champions needed to strike early with the ball, and it didn’t take long for them to do so.
Paul Halfhide, who was the pick of Melton’s bowlers with 3/37, got the ball rolling with the quick dismissal of Keegan Stanley.
Moments after, Liddy avenged for his duck earlier in the day by sending Ben Rose on his way to leave Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows on 2/20.
However the Falcons’ middle order rallied, and led by Tim Branagan (56) and Kurtley Brandt (34), they managed to bat themselves back into the contest.
Nathan Allen again proved handy for the Lions with the stumping of Branagan to put the Falcons down 5/141, but the visitors refused to give up and managed to get their tail wagging.
Captain Mitchell Streiff, Simpson Obed and Lester Herathge all ensured the game would go down to the wire with their batting efforts, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to beat Melton on their home turf.
With another one-day game on the cards for this Saturday away to Werribee, Harrison said his side needed to improve in several areas.
“We’ll be looking to improve across a few areas because we certainly didn’t play at our best,” he said.
“But it is important to get wins early and they’re obviously a much-improved side, Werribee.”
