By ADEM SARICAOGLU
LIONS may have always been kings of the jungle, but now they’re the undisputed king of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association, too.
Melton was simply irresistible in the South/West VSDCA grand final this weekend, smashing Werribee by 68 runs on Sunday to claim its third successive flag and fourth in five years.
Having won the toss on Saturday and choosing to bat on the familiar surrounds of MacPherson Park Oval, all but one of the seven Lions who took to the crease made decent runs to post a formidable 5/241 after the full 80 overs.
On Sunday, Werribee had no answer for strike Melton bowlers Shane Harwood and Brad Jones, and staggered to 173 before the game was lost in the 75th over.
Despite Harwood’s very tidy 2/24 and nine maidens from his 17 overs and a stunning 6/72 and seven maidens from Jones, Melton coach Duncan Harrison credited the last hour of day one as the key period of the two-day decider.
“We had a solid start but David Kirk (59) batted sensationally through the middle and then Jeremy Liddy (43 not out) and Anthony Gale (53 not out) at the end were amazing and really helped us to a good score,” Harrison said.
Kirk was eventually bowled by Stephen Plumridge as Liddy joined Gale at the crease with Melton on 5/158.
The pair was unstoppable in the final overs of the innings, and their entire 83-run partnership was garnered within the final 10 overs of the day.
Overall Harrison was pleased with his entire middle order, which didn’t falter after their star opening batsman of the summer, captain Mick Allen, fell victim to Jake Purton for an uncharacteristically low 30.
“Although Mick’s had an unbelievable year, which we’ll probably never see again, we do think we bat deep and we do think we’ve got lots of options with bat and ball,” Harrison said.
“We always say when it’s your time to shine you’ve got to step up and do the business, so it was really pleasing a couple of other blokes took their opportunity and took their time to shine.”
However there is no denying the star power of Melton’s formidable line-up, and when pushed on the subject, Harrison was keen to highlight the impact of former state quick, Harwood.
“He got the key wicket of Tim O’Brien (caught behind for 15) and he bowled beautifully,” Harrison said.“There’s always that factor when he’s bowling that he can hit a couple of helmets when it’s game on, and he’s just a great competitor.
“He was huge.”
As for the history his Lions continue to make, Harrison was a bit more modest.
“In 10 years we’ll look back and say ‘wow, how did we do that?’, but for now we’ll just really enjoy the moment.”