Page 22 The Moorabool News – 29 March, 2022
Sport
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
No ‘3-peat’ for Lions Darley Cricket Club – By Todd Whelan Darley fell 56 runs short in its run chase against Golden Point in Saturday’s BCA Grand Final at Eastern Oval. The result ends a dream run for the club following back-to-back Premierships. After winning the toss, the Lions sent the opposition in, hopeful of any advantage from a wicket on the ‘offering’ for seam bowlers. And indeed, it did. The Lions enjoyed the perfect start taking three quick wickets as Benny Longhurst (2/18) and Madushanka Ekanayake (1/40) struck, elevating the reigning dual champions into the drivers’ seat. After former Lion Lachie Herring (33) was dropped first ball, Golden Point began their recovery mission to restore the innings and avoid a repeat of the club’s Grand Final loss 12 months ago. Golden Point batting allrounder Manjula DeZoysa (74*) led the charge to set the Lions 192 for victory from their 50 overs. Darley’s response with the bat was dealt a cruel blow when newly crowned Cleary Medalist Dilon Chandima (19) was caught, flushing a ball straight to mid-off. According to Lions coach Brian Wheelahan a metre either way off Chandima’s bat would have found the boundary, but it wasn’t to be. “It just wasn’t our day”, Wheelahan said. Lions wickets fell with untimely regulatory as they struggled to build any partnership of match winning significance. Brodie Ward (23) and Captain Bradley Barnes (12) shared a 30run stand for the fourth wicket to be the Lions best but clearly it wasn’t enough as poor shot selection on the back of scoreboard pressure took an ailing toll. Wheelahan opted the glass half full approach in the aftermath. “While (the loss) it’s still pretty raw, what an incredible ride we’ve been on,” he said. “And we can’t wait to do all again.” You have to admire Wheelahan for his achievements and his grace in defeat. “We’ll be back, you can count on it,” Wheelahan said with a promise. “The club is in a really good space at the moment, you can expect some exciting announcements via our socials over the coming weeks.” Unfortunately for the Lions their weekend was compounded even further with Grand Final losses in the Third Grade and Under 17 competitions.
Photos - Tim Saultry / sportingherald.com.au
RESULTS – Grand Finals BCA 1st GRADE: Golden Point 9/191, Overs 50. B. Longhurst 2/18, D. Chandima 2/29, R. Khwaja 2/44. Darley 135 all out, Overs 43.2. B. Ward 23, M. Ekanayake 20. Darley lost by 56 runs. BCA 3rd GRADE: Mt Clear 7/195, Overs 40. J. Murphy 4/49. Darley 9/156, Overs 39.3. C. Salisbury 62*. Darley lost by 39 runs. Under 17 2ND XI: Darley 9/187, Overs 50. R. Hoey 72, A. Morton 34. Coronet City 5/191, Overs 41.1. G. Martindale 2/25. Darley lost by 5 wickets.
Local cricketer hits it for six By Lachlan Ellis A Moorabool cricketer has been named best and fairest in the Ballarat Cricket Association League, but he’s already looking ahead to another accolade. Dilan Chandima plays for the Darley Cricket Club, and on Monday 21 March was awarded the E.J Cleary Medal. He joined the Lions after playing for Sunbury United last season, where he also won the league best and fairest, to play turf cricket and join childhood friends at Darley. Chandima had a stellar first season with the Lions, with the all-rounder hitting 767 runs at 47.9, in addition to taking 21 wickets. He hit two centuries and four half-centuries, including 112 not out against NapoleonsSebastopol in the semi-final, to help put Darley into the Grand Final. But despite a stellar season, Mr Chandima said he was shocked to receive the E.J. “It was a surprise for me. I was hoping there was a chance that I would win the Champion Player Award, but winning the E.J Cleary Medal surprised me,” he told the Moorabool News last Tuesday. While winning a medal was “the dream of any cricketer”, Chandima has another goal in sight, as Darley take on Golden Point in the Grand Final on Saturday. If they win, Darley will make history, with three consecutive premierships. “Winning a medal with a championship is very important to me, so I hope to add value to my medal over the weekend,” he said.
(Dilan Chandima with his 2022 E.J. Cleary Medal. Photos – Darley CC “We are really confident about the Grand Final. Looking forward to being part of the team that has won 3 consecutive premierships.” Mr Chandima said the medal wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the club and fellow players. “Special thanks to the Darley Cricket Club and Dave Hoey for having me. Thanks to coach Brian Wheelahan for putting his trust in me, and thanks to my teammates Eka and Hasi for all the support,” he said.