In a truly remarkable finish to the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) home and away season, Lakes Entrance has risen from seventh on the ladder going into the final round into the top four, clinching an elusive finals berth, which looked unlikely several times throughout the afternoon, in a dramatic day of local cricket.
The Seagulls needed plenty to go right in the final five and half hours of the regular season if they were progress to the semi final, but everything fell into place perfectly.
Orbost, ensured a top of the table finish by defeating fourth placed West Bairnsdale, ending its final hopes, while Bruthen took second innings points over fifth placed Lucknow, which was unable to bowl its opponents out twice and claim the maximum points needed for a finals berth.
Both results allowed the Seagulls to leapfrog into the top four but only just, finishing 0.14 per cent ahead of Wy Yung who started the day in eighth and gained maximum points defeating sixth placed side St Marys Nagle outright.
The Seagulls resumed at 4/178 against Paynesville and pushed on for a dozen overs, taking the score through to 7/279 for a lead in excess of 140.
IMAGE: Bruthen’s Jordan Hack defends on the front foot during his side’s final round reverse outright victory over Lucknow at Hudson-Alvin Oval last Saturday. The result ended the Magpies’ finals chances and gave the visitors their first taste of victory for the season. Hack hit the winning runs with a square drive to the point boundary, finishing 41 not out. (PS)
