By Lance Jenkinson
Hoppers Crossing had Melton on the ropes but could not deliver a knockout blow in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season opener.
The Cats were left disappointed after a four-wicket loss because they felt like a victory was there for the taking.
After posting 187, the Cats had Melton in all sorts of trouble on 6-75 approaching the tea break.
The halt in play also extinguished Hoppers Crossing’s momentum.
Melton did not lose another wicket en route to victory.
Matthew Stead (56 not out) and Dilshan Kanchana (58 not out) guided the visiting Lions across the line for a memorable win at Hogans Road Reserve.
“Tea came at the wrong time for us,” Cats captain Justin Goegan said. “We took 5-10 leading up to tea, so we had all of the momentum.
“After tea, they didn’t really give us a chance.”
Brett Smith was far and away the best bowler for Hoppers Crossing.
Smith toiled away manfully to take 2-33 off 16 overs.
“First game to bowl 16 overs was a pretty big effort,” Goegan said.
The spinners also did a power of work for Hoppers Crossing.
PHOTO GALLERY: Hoppers Crossing vs Melton
Sanka Abeyruwan, who returned to the club after two seasons with Haig Fawkner, took 1-57 off 18 overs.
Mitch Ellis, who had a breakout season last summer, bowled an economical 1-22 off 11.
Luke Goegan chimed in with 2-15 off four overs.
Justin Goegan feels as though his bowlers went away from what they were doing well early in the day.
“Before tea we were just bowling that line and length and waiting for them to play a bad shot,” he said. “Our bowlers probably started chasing the wickets a bit towards the end.
“We bowled four good balls an over and two bad balls and that’s what they cashed in on.”
Hoppers Crossing was left to lament its batting performance on day one.
The Cats only significant contribution came through Jack Rhodes, who made a gutsy 93 off 167 balls.
Rhodes fell agonisingly short of a first century for Hoppers Crossing.
“He really toughed it out,” Goegan said.
