Lakes Entrance has outclassed Meerlieu for the second time in a month, this time in round 10 Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) “A” grade action at the Meerlieu Cricket Ground.
With rain washing out day one, a one-day fixture was played and finished not long after the scheduled afternoon tea break.
The Seagulls climbed to fifth after the vital win, on equal points, with third-placed Orbost and fourth-ranked Lucknow.
The Tussocks languish in seventh, locked in a battle for the wooden spoon with St Mary’s Nagle, who hold the ladder up at present.
Lakes Entrance skipper, Jake Le Maitre won the toss and sent the home side in to bat.
Again they disappointed, bowled out for just 73 in the 31st over, with promising young batsman, Des Hine the only player to make double figures.
Hine making 42 from 58 balls including four well struck boundaries.
Le Maitre used his bowlers to great effect, and they bowled to the plan and formed formidable combinations.
Opening bowler Noah Dodd again impressed taking 3/26, before the spin twins, Kaleb Day and Ollie Chaplin went through the middle order and tail with ease.
Day bowled six overs and finished with 3/6, while Chaplin’s six resulted in 4/16.
The Seagulls knocked the runs off in the 26th over for the loss of four wickets.
Ben John went early for a golden duck, but solid contributions from Ryan Hooper (21), Day (15) and 16 not out from Chaplin saw the Seagulls home, but probably not as easy as they would have liked.
Reigning BCA Cricketer of the Year, Connor Mitchell was the pick of the bowlers for the Tussocks taking 2/13 from nine overs.
Lakes Entrance will host West Bairnsdale this week in a two-day contest (Saturday/Sunday), a vital match for both clubs, West currently sit seventh, four points behind the Seagulls, and defeat would make it difficult for them in their quest for finals appearance.
They like the Seagulls have struggled
to put consecutive wins together this season, but with quality players like Ryan Halford, Brodie Anderson, Thomas Hudson, Jack
Lind, Chris Hammond and Patrick Halford in their line-up, they are capable of anything on their day.
It’s a close and competitive season and all points are going to be important in the push for a finals spot, these six points could be pivotal for either side.
Meerlieu will enjoy a bye.
