Tara Murray
Taylors Lakes is in a strong position after day one against Ormond despite not making the most of its chances in the field in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west.
Having been one of the teams to beat early in the season, the Lions again showed strong form on Saturday.
Ormond won the toss and decided to bat in hot conditions.
The Lions were able to bowl them out for 185 in the 67th over.
Chalitha Chamoda and Dhanushka Lahiru Kumara took four wickets each for the Lions.
Lions coach Peter Brasher said they were pretty happy with that performance.
“It could have been 140 but we were still happy to keep them to 180,” he said. “We dropped five catches.
“We made a few blues along the way but after losing the toss and being away it could have been a long day in the field against a side that made the grand final last year.”
The Lions batters then managed to get through unscathed with the bat and will resume at 0-33.
Jashanpreet Singh is 21 not out and George Sakkas is 11 not out.
Brasher said the most pleasing thing about this match was how the side was able to adjust with a number of players unavailable.
“We had nine players out of our first and second XI teams from last week,” he said. “The team was different with three changes in the first XI.
“All four of our sides are in winning positions after day one. Our fourth XI is playing in the third XI this week.
“It’s good for the club and the depth has really improved with a lot of young kids.”
The absences gave Jaideep Singh the chance to make his first XI debut as a 15-year-old.
He played in the Lions fourth XI last season before starting this season in the third XI.
Singh pushed into the second XI making 94 in the last round to earn him a spot in the first XI.
The Lions performance on Saturday continued their strong two-day format.
The side was one wicket away from victory against Elsternwick the week before with the club left frustrated with different playing conditions in place across the competition after rain.
“We hope those three points don’t determine if we play finals or not,” he said. “We put ourselves in a strong position and were unlucky.
“The guys could have sooked but got back to it and had some strong two day form again.
“I couldn’t be happier.”
Brasher said they were hoping they could get the win and consolidate its spot in the top six after a strong start.
