West Bairnsdale’s unbeaten start to the Bairnsdale Cricket Association season continued with a comfortable five-wicket victory over Paynesville at AJ Freeman Reserve last Saturday.
The reigning premier was headed towards an early victory when it reduced the Gulls to 6/16 inside 12 overs. Opening bowler Jack Lind claimed two wickets in the first over on his way to 4/11 from nine overs, while fellow opener Ryan Halford collected 3/20.
However despite the hot start West was made to work hard for the remaining four wickets as Caleb Marsh (49 off 95) and Mitch Willmott (47 off 88) fought back with a valuable 74-run seventh wicket partnership.
Paynesville reached 123 before being bowled out in the penultimate over.
West lost Sam Stewart and Brodie Anderson early, however was never really troubled in its chase as it passed the Gulls’ total with 17 overs to spare. Halford top scored with 38, while Jake Anderson added a valuable 32.
Englishman Luke Bond claimed 4/36 with the new ball for the Gulls.
