Lucknow climbed to third place on the Bairnsdale Cricket Association ladder after winning its third match of the 2025/26 season, proving too good for Lakes Entrance at the Lakeside Oval.
The Magpies sit a game behind Lindenow South Glenaladale and Orbost, and a game clear of Wy Yung, West Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance.
The Magpies were weakened by skipper Jarrod Floyd missing with a hamstring injury, which could see him on the sidelines for a number of weeks.
Winning the toss and batting, Lucknow again lost Rico Fourie (0) early, which got the Seagulls up and about, but several solid partnerships and some sensible batting saw the Magpies finish their 45 overs on an impressive 9/197.
They got a solid 21 from Myles Danaher at the top of the order and a similar responsible knock from emerging all rounder Taj Corben (33).
The run rate was lifted by hard-hitting import Ayush Verma (44 from 47) and Beau Haslam (54 from 56), both gents hitting five boundaries and a maximum in pivotal contributions at the time.
Haslam batted superbly with the tail, adding 39 for the eighth wicket with Archer Watt, who contributed just five.
Both Watt and Haslam were run out in the search for quick runs in the final two overs.
Seagulls bowling surprise packet Ben John was again among the wickets taking 3/18 from nine overs, putting a case forward that he’s more than a change bowler.
The only other multiple wicket taker was Laurie Thomson with 2/35, but his five overs were expensive.
Ollie Chaplin (1/43) returned after recent visa issues and will benefit from the outing with bat and ball.
Lakes Entrance openers, Ben John (42) and Liam Allen (34) got their side off to a healthy start, adding 84 for the opening wicket in just 17 overs, setting a solid platform for victory, before they were both, caught and bowled by Joshua Ward (4/37) two overs apart.
The Seagulls made a meal of it from then on with Ollie Chaplin (11) and the consistent Ryan Hooper (21) getting starts, but they weren’t able to push on as wickets fell consistently, the victim of consistent bowling from Haslam (4/23) and Fourie (1/25), who enjoyed more overs with Floyd on the sidelines.
Ben Rotheram again impressed at number 10 for the Seagulls, making 19.
The Seagulls were dismissed with 11 balls remaining for a disappointing 161 after such a promising start to the run chase.
Lucknow will take on West Bairnsdale this week at Bairnsdale City Oval in the clash the Magpies will be keen to pocket the points to stay ahead of the pack, while West will need to win to stay in touch, it’s a classic 12 point game, which could be season defining for the combatants.
The seventh-ranked Seagulls will welcome the sixth-placed Paynesville this week, a must-win game for both sides who have similar season form cards and sit outside the top four on percentage.
