By Lance Jenkinson
Taylors Lakes is breathing a little bit easier after breaking through for its first win of the season in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The Lions overcame Box Hill by four runs in an edge-of-your-seat thriller at Lionheart Reserve on Sunday.
Victory has seen the Lions rise up from the lower reaches and leave Box Hill to be one of two sides without a win this season.
Taylors Lakes performed strongly with the bat, posting a competitive 7-210 off 45 overs.
There were plenty of batsmen who chipped in for the Lions, but there were no bigger contributors than Marradon Bend, who led the way with 77, including eight fours and two sixes.
Bend, who is also the Lions wicketkeeper, has made a flying start to the season with 188 runs at 47.
PHOTO GALLERY: Taylors Lakes vs Hoppers Crossing
Michael Brne made a handy 28 at the top of the order for the Lions, while Vishesh Bansal made 45 and featured in an 87-run third wicket partnership with Bend.
Taylors Lakes managed to hold on for dear life when it came down to the last over.
The Lions restricted Box Hill to 7-206, despite 111 not out from Somil Bandi.
Rachid O’Neale was the lone multiple wicket taker for the Lions with 2-41, while four others – Aidan Brasher, captain Jarrod Wakeling, Liam Wolf and Aamir Raza – took singles.
Taylors Lakes will make the trip to Melton for a crucial one-day game.
Rachid O’Neale snared two wickets for Taylors Lakes. (Damjan Janevski). 200782_07
