VSDCA: Melton breaks through for first win in over 650 days

Melton broke through for its first win in over 650 days with one man producing a stunning bowling display but it all comes down to work in the off-season. Here’s why.

This is just the beginning of a new look Melton.

The Lions broke through for their first Victorian Sub District Cricket Association win in 658 days on Saturday after overcoming Croydon at MacPherson Park.

After finishing last season without a win, Melton went through a club restructure during the off-season which saw much needed experience added back into their line-up.

This included Brad Jones standing down as coach, although he remains on board as an assistant with Mitch Stephens taking on the head role.

But it was Jones who produced a devastating display of bowling finishing with 7-21 from nine overs as the Lions ran out 19-run winners.

“He just leads from the front, sometimes you’ve just got to get on his back and follow him,” Stephens said of Jones.

“He keeps it real basic and on these tricky wickets at the moment because of the all rain, what some people might consider boring bowling is doing the most damage.

“While Brad’s not the coach anymore, he still puts in a lot of work around the club and speaks really well to the group on a Saturday. Winning on Saturday adds some real belief to the group.

“Belief is something they’ve probably lacked in the past couple of seasons because they’ve lost these close games. But this proved to them what they’re able to do.”

Brad Jones produced a match winning performance for Melton. Picture: Hamish Blair

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Melton was able to post 7-180 from its 45 overs largely thanks to a patient 61-run performance from young gun Jason Hibbert who came to the crease after Stephens was removed for a duck.

He eventually fell after 132 balls but won plenty of praise from his coach.

Joel Mitchener also played an important innings with 37 runs from 35 deliveries.

“JJ is someone we feel we can bat around in the top three,” Stephens said.

“He’s got a lot of talent for a young kid and we think with the experience we’ve added it will give him some more stability and allow him to show off his talent more.

“I’m really confident he’s going to be able to make the most of it as well.”

Melton will next turn its attention to a clash with Altona.

THRILLERS ACROSS THE EAST-WEST GROUP

Endeavour Hills fired an early warning shot to the rest of the competition with a convincing seven-wicket win over fellow premiership contender Werribee.

Sri Lankan star Thilakarathna Dilshan scored 70 to lead his side to victory.

Altona made it two wins from two outings after scoring a comfortable five-wicket win across Taylors Lakes.

An unbeaten half-century from Adam Yates helped Altona chase down it’s target of 135 with several overs to spare.

Box Hill held on in a hard fought contest against Williamstown prevailing by 14 runs on the back of Bradley Yates’ 92-run performance to guide his side to 9-187 from its 45 overs.

In response, Willi has bowled out for 173 as Parth Mehta led the way with 3-17.

Robbie Cox batting for Bayswater. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Balwyn was too good for Bayswater in a battle between the two Eastern clubs as the visitors came away with a four-wicket win.

Harry Goad did the damage with the ball for Balwyn finishing with match best figures of 3-25 from nine overs.

Donvale produced a brilliant bowling performance to confine Hoppers Crossing to its first loss of the season and come away 16-run winners.

Avsihka Fernando finished with 4-21 as Jayden Clay posted 67 runs for the victors.

Spotswood continued its perfect start to the season with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Mt Waverley.

Skipper Jakson Knight scored an unbeaten 70 in his side’s run chase.

Yarraville was able to bounce back from it’s disappointment of a round one defeat after overcoming Noble Park by 43 runs in a low scoring contest.

Aidan Salvado continued his good form with a half-century before Yarraville was all out for 137 with the hosts scoring just 94 in response.

Ashane De Silva took 5-17 to help the visitors get across the line.