Things are tightening up in Bairnsdale Cricket Association after an action packed round nine of matches.
The big winners were Meerlieu, Orbost and Lakes Entrance, the Tussocks moving a match clear at the top of ladder after easily accounting for Wy Yung.
Current boom side, Orbost, moved into the top four, narrowly from Lakes Entrance, at the expense of St Mary’s Nagle, who went down to Lucknow, who kept its finals hopes alive.
With five rounds left to play, spots are up for grabs. With every win vital, every club is still a realistic chance of seeing action in March.
Sent in at Wy Yung, Meerlieu amassed 4/161 from its 40 overs, largely due to a 118-run third wicket unison between Frankie Mostert (81 not out) and Reagan Kyle (49).
Tigers skipper, Darcy Murray, was the pick of his side’s bowlers taking 3/24.
In reply, Wy Yung put up a gallant effort, eventually dismissed for 127 in the 34th over, several times looking like it might threaten the ladder leader.
Ben Saxon continued his good recent form making an attractive 45, while leg spinner Adam Cairns, who throws up another bowling option for the Tussocks, was effective with 3/38.
Reigning champion Orbost’s resurgence continued, claiming another high profile victim, comfortably defeating second-placed Lindenow South Glenaladale.
The Blues have recovered from a slow start to the season and numerous pre-season list changes to put together five unbeaten rounds.
The Bulls won the toss and chose to bat at the Orbost Recreation Reserve and were dismissed in the 37th over for 135.
Mel Irish (27), Seth Smith (23), Haydn Erfurth (18), Scott Davidson (17) and Logan Dunkley (15) all got starts but were unable to capitalise as the Blues nagged away at a good line and length.
The Hulme brothers had a day out with the ball, claiming six of the 10 wickets, led by Alex who claimed 3/27, well supported by Mikael (1/8) and Nick (2/20).
The Blues got home comfortably in the 29th over for the loss of just four wickets, Jayden Price making an attractive 67 which included 10 boundaries.
Alex Hulme was all smiles post game after belting 44 not out, including three towering sixes.
Lakes Entrance posted its most significant win of the season as it honoured the memory of long time scorer, Nesta Owen, defeating third-ranked West Bairnsdale.
Batting first the Seagulls posted their highest one-day total of the season, 8/167, and an exceptional bowling and solid fielding performance saw West Bairnsdale restricted to 9/145 at the conclusion of its 40-over allotment.
Co-captain, Ben John, led the way with an outstanding 44 from 66 balls at the top of the order.
Lakes looked to be in a trouble at 7/108 but a 43-run late order unison between Daniel Bryant (19 from 29) and Jacob Sackfield (38 from 30) helped the Seagulls post a more than competitive total on a big ground.
Wickets were shared for West between skipper Ryan Halford (2/39), Jack Lind (2/32), spinner Jacob Zumach (2/28) and Jake Anderson (2/36).
Some accurate bowling early from the Seagulls saw West in trouble early, limping to 4-47 from the first 20 overs.
With key batsmen Brodie Anderson, Tom Hudson, Halford and Sam Watts (19) in the shed, Sam Stewart (35) and Jake Anderson (20) gave West some hope in the middle overs with a valuable 43-run partnership.
Sackfield (2/24) was pivotal with the new ball, picking up Watts and Brodie Anderson, who most clubs have found hard to dismiss this season.
West needed 80 from the final 10 overs with five wickets in hand.
The Seagulls stuck to their task, doing Nesta proud, a clever stumping from Liam Allen ending Mitchell Toms’ (13) innings and any hope West had of pulling off an unlikely victory.
St Mary’s Nagle was sent in at home against Lucknow and was dismissed for just 108 in the 34th over.
Skipper Ricky Tatnell (29) and Brayden McCarrey (22) held the Magpies up for a while before the Saints relented losing a disappointing 7/29.
Jarryd Floyd (3/25) and Matt Corbett (3/9) ripped through the tail quickly.
In reply the Magpies looked in trouble at 5/52, but a match-winning unbeaten sixth wicket partnership between Aaron Cameron (27) and import Liam Dyson (18), saw them home with eight overs remaining.
Nagle coach, Andrew Perrin looked sharp taking 3/27.
UMPIRES
“A” grade: St Mary’s Nagle v Wy Yung (Martin Blennerhassett); Lakes Entrance v Lindenow South Glenaladale (Geoff Brew); Lucknow v Meerlieu (John Hine); West Bairnsdale v Orbost (Ron Smith, Don Haley). “A” Reserve: Wy Yung v Paynesville (Damien Tubb).
