Orbost Snowy Rovers suffered its fourth straight defeat in the East Gippsland Football Netball reserves competition, dropping out of the top four after going down to Lakes Entrance at the Lakeside Oval.
The Blues sit in fifth place, trailing Lindenow by percentage after a looking a lock to play finals early in the season.
In a low-scoring contest the Seagulls found the lead in the second term after scoring the quarter’s only major, opening up a five-point half time buffer.
Although wasteful at times in front of goal, Lakes Entrance strengthened that advantage to 13 points at the three quarter time break off the back of a hard-fought two-goal to one stanza.
In a tough final term the Blues threw everything at their opponent, but Lakes was too good hanging on to win by 18 points.
Coach Andrew Kenny, Cody Robertson, Lachlan Osborn, Jason Eaton, Tye Robinson and Todd Griebenow were named in the best for Orbost.
Lakes Entrance won the clash of the titans in the thirds, maintaining its unbeaten record, but only just, hanging on to beat Orbost by just two points, the Blues dropping to third after the defeat.
The Seagulls impressed in the first term kicking three unanswered goals, but not to be denied the Blues fought back with three goals to one in the second term narrowing the margin to just two points at half time.
The sides traded goals in a low scoring and defensively dominated second half, as the Seagulls maintained the two-point margin at three quarter and full time, in an epic game, featuring some of the regions better under 18 players.
The Blues were beaten but not defeated. There’s more to play out in this rivalry in the back half of the season.
Beau Hanratty, Jack Barnes, Tye Robinson, Xavier Martin, Andrew Robinson and Jet Kane were among the better players for Orbost, with Angus Joiner kicking two goals.
Orbost Snowy Rovers will host Wy Yung at Lochiel Park this Saturday.
