Orbost scored its second win of the season in round 11 of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) against Metung Swan Reach at the Orbost Recreation Reserve, courtesy of a splendid century from opening batsmen Jayden Price.
Price’s 101 from 107 deliveries was his maiden BCA “A” grade century, containing 15 well-struck boundaries, the cornerstone of the Blues’ mammoth score of 7/311 from 45 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat.
Despite still sitting on the bottom of the ladder, Orbost is well placed to make a legitimate push to improve one or maybe two spots in the final three rounds.
The Blues will clash with West Bairnsdale (home), Lucknow (away) and Metung Swan Reach (away) in two-day fixtures and now they have struck form they will fancy themselves in at least two of those matches.
Price has struck the ball well all season and finally he was rewarded for his efforts after several times this season looking set to go big.
Despite Mikael Hulme and Campbell Macalister being dismissed early, Price remained positive and featured in some significant partnerships, which allowed the Blues to push forward past 200 and ultimately over 300.
He featured in a 124-run third wicket unison with Luke Endley (51 from 46), the all-rounder belting nine boundaries before getting out when he looked like he might get a 100 as well.
That bought Tim Osborn to the crease and he impressed making his second half century for the season, 64 from just 54 balls, including three boundaries and two maximums.
He added 64 in quick time with Price before the hard-hitting opener was finally bowled by Billy Andrews.
Braeden Ross came to the crease after the quick demise of Alex Hulme and he took over from where Price left, making his highest “A” grade score of 42 from just 29 deliveries, including three huge sixes.
In partnership with Osborn, the pair added 83 at significantly better than a-run-a-ball, as the frustrated Swans could do little right at the mercy of the full of confidence Blues.
When Osborn and Ross went late in the innings, skipper Curtley Farley (11 from four) and Nick Hulme (11 from six) kept the score ticking over the magical 300 mark.
Anthony Miller (2/20) and Brendan Gallus (2/66) were the multiple wicket takers for the Swans, who were soon in trouble in the run chase.
They got moderate contributions from Brendan Pearce (23) and Gallus (18) but were dismissed for just 92 inside 24 overs, continuing their disappointing recent form.
The star with the ball was Nicholas Hulme who took a sensational 5/24 from his eight overs, well supported by paceman Nicholas Davis (2/29) and Endley (2/7).
Metung Swan Reach has now dropped to ninth on the ladder after being on the periphery of top four earlier in the season.
With an exodus of personnel for a variety of reasons, they have only achieved two totals over 100 in their past six innings.
They will need to work hard in the coming weeks in two-day matches against Lakes Entrance (home), St Mary’s Nagle (away) and Orbost (home) to avoid embarrassment, with those sides eyeing maximum points against a wounded opponent playing with limited confidence.
