VSDCA 2020-21: Melton scores victory over Taylors Lakes

Melton’s young side claimed its second win of the VSDCA season on Saturday and coach Brad Jones is pleased with the talent at his disposal.

Melton’s Jaskirat Singh celebrates the wicket of Taylors Lakes’ Chris Marron Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Melton coach Brad Jones has featured in four premierships during a decorated career at the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association club, the last coming in 2012-13.

Plenty has changed since, with Jones charged with the responsibility of guiding a young group in his first season at the helm.

The First XI side may not be chock-full of champion names like it once was, but the Lions have reason to be enthused about their future.

They recorded their second win of the season on Saturday, cruising to an eight-wicket victory over Taylors Lakes in a dominant display.

Melton coach Brad Jones bends his back. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Obviously winning the premierships was amazing times at the club,” Jones said.

“But it’s good to have these young kids coming through from the Second XI through to the firsts and really putting some results on the board.

“Joel (Mitchener) is bowling really well and even getting a few runs, Conrad (Farrugia) got a 48 in his first game in the ones.

“They’re not just getting games but also putting results on the board, which is really good for the club.”

Melton’s bowlers impressed at the weekend as the visitors mustered just 140 from 39.2 overs.

Dylan Jobson led the way with 3-35, while Jaskirat Singh (2-19), Jones (2-27) and Mitchener (2-33) also fired.

He went wicketless on Saturday, but Matthew Stead is the equal-third highest wicket-taker in competition this season with 15 at 14.27 apiece. Singh has claimed 12 victims at 17.

“Steady has always bowled a couple of overs for us,” Jones said.

“He used to be our fifth, sixth bowler, but this year he’s taken a few wickets and just bowls really tight.

“Jas is coming along. He’s somebody who just walked through the door for a game of cricket and has done really well with the new ball early on and swings it both ways.”

Melton celebrates a wicket during its win over Taylors Lakes. Picture: Hamish Blair

What appeared a straightforward run chase started disastrously, with openers Damien Costigan (0) and Farrugia (5) losing their wickets early.

But skipper Nathan Taylor (66 not out from 76 balls) and wicketkeeper-batsman Shehan Hirudika (59 not out from 65) combined for an unbroken 136-run stand to steer their team to 2-141 with almost 16 overs to spare.

Taylor lifted his season tally to 191 runs at 27.3, backing up a knock of 55 against Werribee in the second round of the VSDCA’s Twenty20 competition.

“He hasn’t had the form he would have liked all year, but he found some form on Tuesday in the T20 and carried that through,” Jones said.

“Nath’s played high-level cricket in Sydney, so he’s got a really good cricket brain and plenty of experience.

“It’s good to have someone else taking charge and you can sort of just throw ideas by them and give them a chop out here or there with different opinions and ideas.”

The Lions, who sit 12th on the North-West group ladder, will next face Coburg.