Tara Murray
Taylors Lakes’ strong start to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west continued on Saturday as it racked up a third straight win.
After one of their best wins in a number of seasons against Spotswood in round two, the Lions backed it up against Williamstown on Saturday in a one-dayer.
It was a solid performance with the ball for the Lions, before their batters got the job done with ease with the bat.
Lions coach Peter Brasher said it was another professional performance by the group.
He said speaking at the club after the match, no one could remember the last time the side started the season with three straight wins.
“I kind of felt winning yesterday [Saturday] was harder than against Spotswood,” he said. “Against Spotswood there were no expectations. Against Williamstown, there was the expectation we should win at home against an opposition that is similar to us on paper.”
“We thought we should get it done and were able to do that.”
The Seagulls won the toss and decided to make. They finished 7-180 from their 45 overs.
Saihaj Jaspal, George Sakkas and Chalitha Chamoda took two wickets each for the Lions.
Brasher said it was a reasonable total, but they could have restricted them a bit more.
“I thought it was 20 more than it should have been and that was the message to the group,” he said.
“We had then 2-17 early on and they had a bit of luck. We started off well with Saihaj’s opening spell set it up.
“He had 2-7 off six overs at one stage and prevented them from getting off to a flying start.
“It wasn’t the best game but we were able to keep in the game. The old Taylors Lakes would have likely dropped their heads.”
The Lions top order got the job done, hitting the winning runs with more than nine overs remaining.
They finished 2-181.
“Chalitha [Chamoda] is thriving and made 41 off 33 balls,” Brasher said. “He puts us in front in the game.
“Jashanpreet [Singh] , our other opener, showed what he could do. The case was down to three runs an over
“Steffan [Roberts] and Nilan [Fernando] finished off the work.”
Roberts top scored with 52 not out, as all four batters scored at least 30.
Brasher said they had a couple of players who didn’t get a bat or ball but they would get their chances in the coming weeks.
He said the vibe was good across the whole group.
The Lions this week travel to face Brighton in another one-dayer.
It will be a top of the table clash. Brasher said the hard work had to continue to keep their good form going.
