Another disappointing loss from Lindenow South Glenaladale has seen it replaced at the top of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association ladder by the inform Meerlieu, after the completion of round eight on Saturday.
The pre-Christmas one-day top grade round, two days prior to Santa’s big day certainly wasn’t popular with all clubs, but exciting cricket was again played, which has become the norm in what is building to be an exciting finale in March.
Only percentage separates the top three sides, Meerlieu, sitting on top of the Bulls and West Bairnsdale.
Despite not banking any winning points in the last two rounds, St Mary’s Nagle continue to sit in fourth spot, still holding a four point advantage over the emerging reigning premier, Orbost.
Lakes Entrance, Wy Yung and Lucknow, who have been playing some good cricket, are all still realistic chances to push for fourth spot in the final six rounds.
The Tussocks batting was again impressive, as they defeated the Saints at home by 44 runs.
Meerlieu amassed a formidable 7/194 from its 40 over allotment after being sent in by Nagle.
Opener Anthony Simpson (60) made it consecutive half centuries, getting plenty of support from Rohan Blandford (36), Nicholas Adendorff (41) and Frankie Mostert (20), who was run out after some slick work by Randall Stewart.
Skipper Rick Tatnell was the pick of the bowlers for Nagle, taking 3/46.
Several times in the run chase the Saints looked to be working their way on top, only to lose key wickets after the batsmen had done the hard work to get themselves in.
Tatnell (54 for 63 balls) was the only batsman to work his way past 20 as his side was eventually rolled for 150 in the 36 over.
Jack McConachy was the leading wicket taker for the Tussocks, taking 3/29.
The Tussocks lost their second consecutive match and put a dampener on its 200th game celebrations, proving no match for a rampant West.
Lead by skipper, Ryan Halford (4/11), West bundled the Tussocks out for just 89, with Haydn Erfurth the only player to offer any resistance.
In reply West Bairnsdale cruised to victory in the 23rd over, with only wicket to fall, that of Brodie Anderson for a well compiled 24.
For the second time this season, wicket keeper, Sam Watts was the star, making an attractive 57 from just 65 balls, including one lofty hit which easily cleared the fence.
Watts is having an outstanding season, recently posting his maiden top grade century against current league measuring stick, Meerlieu.
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The most competitive match was at Lucknow, where Wy Yung chased down the home sides 8/163 with four balls remaining, giving the Tigers their second season victory.
Wy Yung proved that last week’s win against West was no fluke.
The Magpies were in trouble at 3-3 early, with Steve Bertino (4/30) ripping through the top order.
Colby Montant (20), Harvey Abraham (42), and the inform duo of Luke Hedger (41 from 41) and Jarryd Floyd (37 from 38) worked hard to post a total that looked likely to be enough.
But not to be denied, the Tiger spark has returned, Ben Saxon (49 not out) guiding his side home with solid contributions from Todd Murray (38) and Sean Phillipson (20).
The game evenly poised at 4/120, before the experienced pair of Saxon and Phillipson combined for a 32 run partnership which was pivotal in the win, the Tigers home with four wickets in hand.
An impressive win by Orbost over Lakes Entrance has seen it move right back into the mix after a slow start to the season, the team has certainly clicked as a side in recent weeks, looming as a danger side for all opponents in the second phase of the season.
Max Welsh calling correctly and opting to bat first on beautifully prepared wicket at the Lakeside Oval, with things looked promising early for the Seagulls with the Blues 4-51, with Welsh, Jayden Price, Darius Govender and Alex Hulme all back in the sheds.
The game was turned in favour of the Blues, courtesy of magnificent 121 run unison for the fifth wicket, between Luke Endley (53) and Curtley Farley (62), which helped Orbost reach 6/200 from its allocation.
Endley faced 85 balls, hitting four boundaries and maximum, while Farley’s 78 delivery innings contained four boundaries and two maximums, ending on the last ball of the allotment.
After a productive start, Lakes Entrance couldn’t stop the regular demise of wickets, eventually bowled out in the 38th over for 145.
English import Jack Kesteven top scored with 44, while Cooper Collins looked good compiling 20, backing up an impressive display behind the stumps, with regular keeping options Ben John and Liam Allen unavailable.
Max Seedall (3/16) capped off a good day for Blues, after earlier making an enterprising 17 from just 10 balls.
The next round of matches will be on January 13 when a one day fixture is programmed.
Orbost will host Lindenow South Glenaladale, Wy Yung is at home to Meerlieu, West make the trip to Lakes Entrance, with St Mary’s Nagle and Lucknow doing battle at Nagle College.
