Lakes Entrance has claimed its first piece of “A” grade cricketing silverware in almost 20 years, defeating Lindenow South Glenaladale in a tense Bairnsdale Cricket Association one-day final at the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
The Seagulls hadn’t tasted one-day victory at premier grade level since winning back-to-back titles in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005.
It has been 19 seasons since they have won a two-day crown following a premiership hat-trick which culminated in season 2005/06.
Lakes went into the clash low on confidence and morale after three ordinary days of cricket, which resulted in losses to Paynesville and West Bairnsdale, their second and third defeats of the campaign.
The Bulls were always going to be a tough opponent given their experience playing in big matches over the past decade.
Finishing on top of the one-day ladder saw the Seagulls earn the right to host the one-day finale, which meant they were well supported by a loyal group of supporters and some enthusiastic caravan park guests.
Lakes Entrance won the toss and elected to bat and it certainly wasn’t smooth sailing.
They got solid contributions at the top of the order from Josh Sackfield (35 from 42 balls), Liam Allen (24) and Jack Timms (19) and were relatively well placed at 2/70 before a middle order collapse put thoughts of premiership glory on hold.
Timms was disastrously run out when looking set to blossom and the innings went pear-shaped.
Luke Schumann (3/32) worked his way through the middle order, complementing the early and late work of Mel Irish (4/52), who always seems to take wickets against the Seagulls.
Things looked grim for the home side at 8/105 after 34 overs but a spirited late order partnership between co-captain, Jake Le Maitre (33 from 30) and all rounder Kaleb Day (23 from 31) saw the pair add 57 at a run a ball for the ninth wicket.
Lakes was eventually dismissed in the 45th and final over for 176, which looked competitive but possibly below par against a Bulls line up that included the in-form Haydn Erfurth and Schumann coming off a century the previous round.
The Seagulls were positive in the change of innings, buoyed by the late partnership, sensing their form slump may be about turn, and how right they were.
They picked up Scott Dare and Scott Davidson early, the Bulls in trouble at 2/4 after three overs.
As you would expect Erfurth (44 from 69) and Schumann (32 from 76) dug in for the fight, but the Seagulls were bowling and fielding exceptional, making the accumulation of runs tough.
When Erfurth fell with the score at 84, and Zac O’Keefe, Schumann and Dunkley followed shortly after, the Bulls needed 76 from the final 13 overs with just four wickets in hand.
Things didn’t get any better when Seth Smith departed courtesy of a questionable caught behind decision.
Will O’Keefe (31 from 34) and Mel Irish (18) fought hard to keep the Bulls in the game, but the equation kept getting tougher, both dismissed trying to up the ante with the overs dwindling.
The Bulls were eventually dismissed for 156 with seven balls remaining, the Seagulls delighted with the result and embracing as a team around Tom Stubbs who took the final catch.
The Lakes bowlers were superb, backed by some outstanding catching, particularly from co-captain Ben John and Daniel Bryant.
Le Maitre capped off a huge game taking 3/33, Timms finished with 3/31 and Sam Kincaid 2/43, with Josh Sackfield just as important finishing with 1/19 from nine overs.
