The Bairnsdale Cricket Association resumes this weekend with round 12, a two-day fixture scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
This round will feature only three matches with Lakes Entrance, Lucknow and West Bairnsdale having byes.
It has been a competitive season so far
and the final five rounds promise to intensify with seven sides still vying for the four
semi-final berths.
Last season’s grand finalists, Lindenow South (44 points) and Wy Yung (40), have opened a clear gap on the field and remain the sides to beat. Orbost (30 points) sits third on percentage from Lucknow (30), with West Bairnsdale (28) in fifth place, two points ahead of Lakes Entrance (26) in sixth. Seventh-ranked Paynesville (24) remains in contention, while St Mary’s Nagle and Meerlieu are too far back to challenge this season.
The final five rounds comprise four two-day fixtures and a single one-day match. Next week’s one-day fixture will be played followed by three concluding two-day matches. With no points awarded for a bye, the standings could see significant shifts by Sunday night.
Orbost will host in-form Wy Yung, who have been unbeaten throughout November and December. With multiple options in both batting and bowling, the match promises to be an exciting contest at the picturesque Orbost Recreation Reserve.
Orbost started the season with four straight wins before byes and washouts interrupted their momentum. The Blues’ only two losses were to the Tigers and the Bulls. Key players include Cameron McPhan, who has scored two centuries this season, supported by Todd Murray, Daniel Gledhill, Ben Saxon,
Ray Stevens, Guriqbal Singh and emerging talent Harry Forbes. Their bowling attack boasts Damian Vicary, skipper Stephen Bertino, Darcy Murray, Sean Phillipson, and spinner Charlie Thompson.
Orbost, meanwhile, will rely on a strong batting line-up led by Luke Humphries, with Jayden Price, Mikael Hulme, Luke Endley, skipper Curtley Farley, Alfie Lindsay, Joshua Court, Nicholas Hulme and Tim Osborn all capable of making significant contributions. The bowling may not match Wy Yung’s firepower, but it is steady and matches at Orbost are often decided by the batters.
Lindenow South Glenaladale will host Meerlieu in the local derby at Lindenow South Recreation Reserve. The Tussocks have struggled for bowling depth in one-day matches but will benefit from two-day conditions, allowing them to maximise the spin of reigning competition Cricketer of the Year, Connor Mitchell. Mitchell is likely to bowl from one end all day, testing the Bulls’ batting line-up, which features Haydn Erfurth, Logan Dunkley,
Scott Dare, Scott Davidson, Sam Howden and Luke Schumann.
The Tussocks will also need big contributions from Mitchell, explosive skipper Rohan Blandford or veteran Reagan Kyle to
stay competitive.
Paynesville has a perfect chance to climb the ladder when it welcomes St Mary’s Nagle to AJ Freeman Reserve. Nagle has struggled batting this season, relying heavily on Brayden McCarrey and skipper Ricky Tatnell. Flynn Thompson has been a welcome addition in recent weeks.
The Gulls have been strengthened by the return of all-rounder Aaron Cameron and the addition of Noah Bennett from Stratford. Caleb Marsh and Lachie Wilmott are solid at the top of the order. Young left-arm quick Harper Clack is an exciting bowling prospect, while skipper Isaac Love and Cameron continue to take wickets regularly.
This is a vital match for Paynesville, who must win to remain a serious contender for finals action, though Nagle is more than capable of taking the points if its stars perform.
