Taylors Lakes will be searching for early wickets on day two when it defends a sizeable 9-243 against a strong Plenty Valley batting line-up in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-west group at Lionheart Reserve.
It was the Lions biggest score of the summer, far and away eclipsing the 9-152 they made in a draw with Williamstown, and it could be just the tonic they need to break through for their first win in five tries.
Taylors Lakes made a positive start with captain Michael Brne (35) and youngster Damian Belia (38) taking the score to 66 before Brne was removed.
The Lions were at the crossroads at 4-104 when in-form batsman Yoshan Kumara took charge with a fine 81 not out.
Kumara picked up where he left off the week prior when we made 64 not out against Williamstown with his latest knock taking his average to 70.7 for the season.
The tail wagged for the Lions with Mark McLachlan the standout with 35, including a 48-run partnership with Kumara.
Taylors Lakes can get its season back on track with a win, but a loss could see it slip too far out of the top six for a recovery.
In the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, Keilor pummelled Strathmore on first innings, winning by 147 runs away at Syd McGain Oval.
Defending 222, the Blues bowlers wasted no time removing the Mores, dismissing the hosts for just 75 in 38.1 overs.
Sam Davis did the damage for Keilor with 5-33 off 12 overs.
Safe to say that with his 45 with the bat, Davis could lay claim to man of the match honours.
It proved to be a tough day to bat on the second day with Keilor struggling to the close of play on 7-51 off 26 overs.
Keilor is holding on to its spot in the top four ahead of a one-day clash with winless Greenvale Kangaroos on Saturday.
In north west division, Keilor Park had a stirring 25-run win over St Albans to move into top four contention.
Jesse Ravenello (4-43) and Joe Carland (3-30) were the standouts with the ball for the Devils.
Sunshine United sunk to a 73-run loss to Altona North at Selwyn Park. United could only manage 146 in reply to North’s 9-219.
