The fight for ultimate glory in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association is wide open, with the top four changing on a weekly basis.
Second-ranked West Bairnsdale was the only winner from last week’s top four, defeating Orbost at Bairnsdale City Oval.
Top of the table Meerlieu was humbled by Lucknow, with the now third-placed Lindenow South Glenaladale suffering its fourth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands Lakes Entrance who now occupy fourth spot.
Sitting pretty in the top four at the Christmas break, St Mary’s Nagle now sits on the bottom after two disappointing losses, this time to an improving Wy Yung.
The Magpies trail the fourth-placed Seagulls by just four points after winning the toss and making an impressive 5/168 and knocking over Meerlieu for a measly 117 at the Hudson-Alvin Oval.
All rounder Aaron Cameron was the conduit with the bat for the Magpies making a classy 56, combining in significant partnerships with Matt Corbett (28), Colby Montant (11) and Harvey Abraham (15).
Some lofty hitting in the final overs by not out batsmen Luke Hedger (18 off nine) and Liam Dyson (13 from 10) added some much-needed icing to the innings.
Adam Cairns and Frankie Mostert both took two wickets for the Tussocks.
Things looked promising early for Meerlieu at 1/50, but when Rohan Blandford (30) was dismissed, it created a middle order collapse, the Tussocks suddenly 5/62.
Key batters Anthony Simpson, Reagan Kyle and Nicholas Adendorff contributed just a single run between them.
A 38-run unison between Mostert (43) and Dan Richardson (19) restored some respectablity but when Richardson fell leg before wicket to Magpie skipper, Jarryd Floyd, the Tussocks unravelled quickly, losing 5/17.
Wickets for Lucknow were shared between Cameron, Floyd and Corbett, who all took two each.
Hedger was again exceptional behind the stumps, his keeping up to the stumps to Floyd and the medium pacers, keeping the pressure on the Tussock batters.
Young Taj Corben continues to impress, achieving two outstanding run outs with some elite fielding.
West Bairnsdale is poised to challenge the Tussocks for top spot after chasing down the Blues 137 with 16 balls remaining and six wickets in hand.
The highlight of the Blues’ innings was the performance of wicket keeper/batsman, Darius Govender, who compiled an elegant 60, batting for the majority of the innings.
Wickets were shared between Jack Lind, skipper Ryan Halford, Jacob Zumach and Jake Anderson with two each.
Some late hitting by Alfie Lindsay (13 not out) added some vital runs but a pivotal 93-run fourth partnership between Tom Hudson (77) and Sam Stewart (27 not out) set up an important victory for West.
The Blues were in the game at 3/39, but Hudson batted with maturity beyond his years, facing 104 balls and hitting five boundaries.
Orbost tried eight different bowlers but was only able to break the Stewart/Hudson unison when the match was heading West’s way.
Lakes lost early wickets at home but significant contributions from Nathan King (43) and Jack Kesteven (58) saw it post 9/161.
Mel Irish, Seth Smith and Nathan Pollard, the latter in his first match for the year, all took two wickets.
The Bulls were keen to end their losing sequence and win for stalwarts Irish and Haydn Erfurth, who both clocked up a remarkable 200 “A” grade matches for the club, but it wasn’t to be. Such has been the resilience of the pair, they have only missed two matches each since the two clubs amalgamated.
The Seagulls set the victory up in the first 12 overs, with key players, Scott Dare, Haydn Erfurth, Logan Dunkley and Pollard all back in the pavilion for the addition of just 46 runs.
Exciting young wicket keeper/batsman, Zachary O’Keefe, posted his maiden top grade half century, dismissed shortly after for a well made 51.
O’Keefe and fellow young gun, Smith (18) put on 38 for the fifth wicket, but when Bobby Sproule bowled Smith the Bulls tail offered minimal resistance.
Man of the match, Kesteven was outstanding taking 3/28, as was Jacob Sackfield who has been a revelation in recent weeks, claiming 3/22, including the big wicket of Erfurth.
St Mary’s Nagle were dismissed for less than 110 for the second week in a row, all out for 109 in the 38th over against Wy Yung.
Seven batsmen reached double figures, led by George Read (21) and coach, Andrew Perrin (18 not out), but no one was able to take the bull by the horns.
Ben Saxon (3/16) was the leading wicket taker for Wy Yung, who made tough work of the chase, getting home late in the 38th over with two wickets in hand.
Things looked dire at 7/53, but a match winning 52-run stand between, Indika Yapa Hamilage (30 not out) and Marcus Latham (28) saw the Tigers home in a nail-biting finish.
Perrin (3/13) and Harvey Spaxman (3/33) were both instrumental in the Saints’ charge for victory.
20/20 FINALS
The Lucknow Cricket Club 20/20 competition will culminate this Saturday, with no other matches being played on the weekend due to the Australia Day long weekend.
It’s been a tough year for the competition with rain playing havoc with the matches, the three rounds riddled with washouts.
In the semi finals commencing at 9.30am, defending champion Orbost will take on Lindenow South Glenaladale at Lucknow, with the competition’s in-form outfit, Metung Swan Reach taking on Wy Yung at Bullumwaal Road.
The grand final will be played at Hudson-Alvin Oval at 1pm, with a huge crowd expected to pack the venue as part of the 100-year reunion celebrations.
