By Tara Murray
It was another professional performance from Taylors Lakes as it picked up its fourth win of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west season.
The Lions had their work cut out for them against a Yarraville side aiming to pick up its second win of the season.
The Eagles were bowled out for 218 on the final ball of day one.
It was a tough start for the Lions on Saturday, losing a wicket without any runs on the board.
From there it was all the Lions, who went on to hit the winning runs with more than six overs remaining.
The Lions finished 6-223.
Lions coach Peter Brasher was happy with the performance.
“We got off to a shaky start in the first over, losing a wicket,” he said. “I said after the game to the boys that it was another professional win.
“They do what needs to be done. They maybe could have got them a little bit earlier, but the pitch was slow as was the outfield.”
Brasher said Jashanpreet Singh and Steffan Roberts had put a good partnership early on before Nilan Fernando did what he does best.
After being dropped early in the slips, Fernando finished 61 not out to be the top scorer.
There were plenty of other contributions.
“Lachie Marr and Luke Denny both had cameos and Saihaj [Jaspal] came out and hit two fours and a six to finish it and take the nerves out of it.
“He keeps pushing to bat higher in the order.”
Brasher said while they had expected to get the runs, it was good to see the playing group had switched on mentally after a couple of frustrating results due to weather.
“We felt we deserved a couple of those results,” he said. “The worst thing would have been to then lose a game.”
The Lions sit in third spot after seven rounds with five wins and a loss out of the matches completed.
They are one of three teams on 30 points.
Another one of those teams is Caulfield, which the Lions face this Saturday.
It will be a change of format, with the final match before the break a T20 match.
Brasher said this would be an interesting match, with the T20s normally mid week and with teams not normally fielding their best sides.
He said they were planning to have a practice match at training on Tuesday night to get back into using the white ball.
“They are a strong team that has jumped over us [on the ladder],” Brasher said.
“Second versus third is a challenge we’re looking forward to. If we can win and turn second, it means our journey is in our own hands.
“We’d be slightly above expectations, but only part of the job is done.”
