A disappointing loss to Orbost has seen Lakes Entrance drop to sixth on the Bairnsdale Cricket Association ladder, but the top four is still within striking distance.
With co-captain, Ben John, out with a debilitating knee injury, Jake Le Maitre attended his first toss for the season, but luck wasn’t on his side, with Max Welsh calling correctly and opting to bat first.
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.
A magnificent 121-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Luke Endley (53) and Curtley Farley (62) helped Orbost reach 6/200 from its allocation of 40 overs.
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.
The busy Max Seedall contributed a valuable 17 not out from just 10 balls in the final overs, as the Blues set Lakes a formidable total.
Dan Byrant (2/33) and Ben Rotheram (2/54) were the pick of the bowlers for the Seagulls, who unfortunately conceded a disastrous 19 wides.
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 John and regular keeper, Liam Allen unavailable.
Bobby Sproule (13) and Harry Reed (12) added some respectability late in the innings, with the wickets shared around for Orbost, Seedall (3/16), Alex Hulme (2/22), Mikael Hulme (2/31) and Alfie Lindsay (2/30) all having productive days.
Despite dropping a place on the ladder, Lakes Entrance still remain just four points outside the top four, with six rounds remaining.
The next match will be on January 13 when Lakes Entrance host a one-day match against West Bairnsdale.
