It was a return to form for Taylors Lakes on Saturday, but it might be a little bit too late in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west.
Having dropped a couple of games in recent weeks, the Lions needed everything to go right in the final two rounds to make finals.
While the Lions are on top against Mt Waverley after day one, other results aren’t looking as friendly.
They sit a game outside the top six with two rounds remaining.
Lions coach Peter Brasher said it was good to see the group perform like they did on Saturday.
He said they played more like the way they wanted to play every week.
“The Williamstown game was disappointing and against Spotswood, I didn’t think we were terrible, we were beaten by a better team.
“We were able to bounce back yesterday [Saturday] and make 320 after being in trouble at 3-35 or 3-40.”
Brasher said it looked like it would be another tough day early on when they lost those three early wickets.
He said their middle order of their big names, Steffan Roberts, Nilan Fernando and Shijit Chandran Poovathingal, really stood up when it was needed
“The middle order needed to consolidate and keep batting and not lose any wickets,” he said.
“We needed to set up the batting to be able to attack in the afternoon session and that was the way that it played out.
“We set it up in the end.”
The Lions finished the day at 7-320. Roberts made 69, Fernando 60 and Chandran Poovathingal made 51.
Brasher said had one of them gone on to make a 100 it would have capped off the day.
Aidan Brasher (24 not out off 14 balls) and Xavier Holt (36 not out off 38 balls) both attacked late to push the score past 300.
Peter Brasher said while they found themselves in a good position, Hoppers Crossing, the side they need to lose, is also in one after day one of its match.
The Lions finish their season against Werribee, which is third on the ladder.
He said they were just focused on finishing the season strongly and seeing where it takes them.
“We would have to have a decent win and still be one game behind, but close the percentage,” he said.
“You never know. It would be nice to have something to play for heading into the final game.
“A little bit of hope. We’ll look back on a couple of games that we let slip.
“We’ll do what we can do and see what happens, if it falls our way that’s good.”
