Lakes Entrance sits in second place on the ladder after two rounds of the revamped Bairnsdale Cricket Association premier competition after a hard-fought victory over Wy Yung last Saturday at the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve.
Both sides went into the clash full of confidence after convincing round one victories, the Tigers proving too good for Orbost and Lakes Entrance winners over Lucknow.
Winning the toss, the Seagulls amassed an impressive 9/173 from their allotment of 45 overs, their third highest score over the past two seasons, led by a brilliant 73 not out from
English import Jack Timms.
The elegant Timms featured in significant lower order partnerships with middle order players Phani Kumar (18) and co-captain Jake Le Maitre (13) of 29 and 55 respectively which helped bolster the total.
A rock in the middle order, Timms faced 109 balls and hit five boundaries in a classy innings that has set him up for a big season.
Earlier co-captain Ben John (15) and fellow opener Josh Sackfield (14) had got Lakes off to a good start, unfortunately both getting out when they were set to prosper.
Wy Yung’s Darcy Murray (3/21), skipper Stevie Bertino (2/39) and Damian Vicary (2/31) were the major wicket takers.
The Tigers were quickly in trouble in reply at 5/44 as Le Maitre (5/31) and Sackfield (2/32) helped themselves to early wickets, including the big wicket of Cameron McPhan for just one.
Wy Yung rallied in the middle order as Ben Saxon (47), Vicary (28) and Callum Forbes (28) worked hard to get them back in the contest.
Things were looking promising for the Tigers until Saxon was run out after some great work by the dynamic Sackfield at backward point, a vital piece of fielding when the Tigers looked set to make a charge.
The introduction of Le Maitre saw the tail cleaned up, although there were some anxious moments with a couple of dropped catches and Forbes hitting two majors, the Tigers caught 23 short with three overs still remaining in a competitive game of local cricket.