Sport Hearty Lions made to pay

By Todd Whelan

Expect BCA title contenders Darley to waste little time lamenting Saturday's two wicket loss to Wendouree as the penultimate round of the home and away season concluded.

The Lions set the Reds a mediocre 170 runs for victory on day two and were seemingly in the box seat for a period as strike bowler Madushanka Ekanayake led the way with a five wicket haul to have the visitors in trouble at 8/110. But just as the likelihood of an upset victory loomed reality, the Reds steadied to remain wicketless, seeing out the run chase with six overs to spare.

Despite the narrow loss and what the Reds may themselves consider 'the great escape', Lions coach Brian Wheelahan was proud of his boy’s effort with the ball.

"Ekka bowled one of the finest spells to put us in a winning position," he said.

"His pace, control, line and length bowling was phenomenal.

"We lost the game last week pure and simple by not posting enough runs and building partnerships, including the tail which is exactly what they did."

According to Wheelahan the hit-out against 'the now' ladder leading Reds was the ideal preparation ahead of the business end.