Lions lick lips at finals chances after handling Tonny

The pair navigated the first 10 overs and were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over, however when Williams (31) edged one to wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva off Jeremy Felmigham, the side began to unravel.

Jordan Souter (6) and Jayden Tucker (3) were dismissed in the following six overs, both by Felmingham, the paceman nabbing the first three Blues wickets.

Hudson Kellett was able to hang around with Townsend for a while, but mustered just two runs off 25 balls before he became Felmingham’s fourth wicket.

Opener Townsend’s 30-over knock came to an end when Shannon Bish caught him off Alex Wagner’s bowling, the marathon man’s innings finishing on 25.

Number six, Adam Nunn (24) was the last Tonny batsman to put up a fight, the last five scoring a total of six runs off the bat.

Somehow the Blues managed to see out 40 overs but were all out for 110; not exactly a defensible total against by far the highest-scoring side in the competition.

Sometimes when you’re chasing a smaller total, it can get confusing whether to be patient or just go for it, and captain Regis Chakabva was perhaps caught in the middle.

The BLU skipper facing just seven balls before knicking off to Mackenzie Cowley from Adam Nunn’s bowling, leaving the middle for seven.

Just two overs later and first drop Liam Hamilton (9) was heading back to the sheds as well, getting trapped lbw by Alex Williams.

Noah Turner was the third early wicket to fall for the Lions, the number four was caught by Hugo Monnich Vo for four.

At 3-28, BLU did not get off to the start they were hoping for, however their young gun opener, Kade Pearse, was still at the crease and was joined by explosive number five Luke Thompson.

This pairing were able to take the game away from the Blues, who would have thought themselves in with a chance after a fast start.

The duo toiled together until the 25th over where Pearse was caught by Hudson Kellett with Alex Williams claiming his second scalp.

While Pearse’s 34 might not sound like a lot, his knock was easily worth 50 given the situation and the composure the young batsman showed at the top of the order.

The game was finished just two overs later with Thompson (50 not-out) not only raising the bat but getting his side home well and truly within 45 overs.

The Lions will relish this victory as the first step in a strong run home that if it plays its cards right could end in an appearance in the semi-finals.