Leg spinner Matthew Hewat and opening bowler Sam Miller have quit to join Melbourne University.

Cox is the biggest loss as he has had a great start to the year with three scores of 40-plus and his best years ahead of him.

At a time when all key personnel inside the club should be asking themselves why they lost so many good players, the Hawks faced Fitzroy-Doncaster on Saturday.

The Lions have also had their share of troubles in the past two years, falling from competition powerhouse to cellar dweller.

Batting first on another magnificent wicket at University, Darren Dewar (35) was promoted to the top of the order, and he and No. 3 Steven Spoljaric (26) got the Hawks away to a good start after the early dismissal of Jay Sampson for a duck.

Dewar is a youngster to watch and he will look forward to the two-day games where his patience and sound technique can be put to best use.

Englishmen Chris Benham (41) and Roger Sillence (26) took the score to 140 at the 40-over mark while skipper Simon Dart, batting at No. 6, provided the late spark with 56 not out and lifted the side to 229.

He was well supported by Aaron Dragwidge with an undefeated 35.

At 2-112, the Lions looked a chance of chasing down the Hawks' total, but consistent bowling and some dawdling batting conspired to halt the charge.

The Lions were dismissed for 189 in the 47th over.

The wickets were shared with Dart finishing with 3-32, while Sillence was miserly with 21 off eight overs.

The Hawks remain in touch with the top four for the one-day finals. The season now reverts to two-day mode until Christmas.

Gaurav Kapoor enhanced his prospects for a recall smashing 140no, chasing 285, in the seconds' thrilling win at Fitzroy.

The thirds went down by six wickets, while the fourths had a hard-earned five-run win.