Orbost Cricket Club has got off to a dream start, victorious over West Bairnsdale in round one of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) 2025/26 “A” grade season.
The Orbost Recreation Reserve was in splendid order for the clash, the wicket outstanding and the outfield fast.
The match opposing the 2022/23 two day champion Blues, against the 2023/24 one and two day champs, Wests in a match where both sides were keen to make an early statement.
West Bairnsdale went into the clash without key players Ryan Halford and Brodie Anderson, but still looked to have a strong line-up on paper.
Orbost was delighted to unveil new imports Joshua Court and Luke Humphries, and they had an immediate impact, playing pivotal roles in the victory.
Curtley Farley won the toss for the Blues and had no hesitation in batting, the decision vindicated by posting an impressive 9/194 from the allocated 40 overs.
As impressive as the score was, it was lowered somewhat by batsmen getting starts and getting out, with new batters having to get set and a middle order collapse of sorts.
Humphries looked the part at the top of the order, making 33 from 48 balls in a bright start to his BCA campaign.
He lost Jayden Price (10) early but worked good connections with Mikael Hulme (18 from 11) and Alex Hulme (27 from 60).
At 3/120 the Blues looked set to push well above 200 but to their credit, Wests under the leadership of Sam Watts, fought back.
When Alex Hulme, Braeden Ross and the dangerous Luke Endley (41 from 47) went in the space of six overs, Orbost was 7/151 with five overs remaining.
A 40 run eight wicket unison between Court (25 from 19) and Nicholas Hulme (21 not out from 15), swayed the game back in home side’s favour.
Patrick Halford was the pick of the bowlers for West taking 4/33, while Jai Nicholls’ (2/15) efforts in removing Ross and Endley were pivotal, with Chris Hammond bowling a tight eight over spell, picking up 2/15, including the vital wicket of Humphries.
In the run chase, Wests lost early wickets and were always playing catch up, with Mitch Toms (49 from 44), the only batsman to look comfortable and likely to prosper.
Watts (11), Oscar Clarke (13) and Patrick Halford (9) offered resistance in the middle order, soaking up plenty of balls but struggled to score and force the pace.
Court (4/15) cleaned up the tail with relative ease, West Bairnsdale dismissed for just 106 in less than 30 overs.
Humphries also impressed with the ball, taking 3/25, while Alex Hulme (2/11) and Nick Davis (1/26) opened the season with solid efforts.
The Blues will face another round one winner, Paynesville in round two action at AJ Freeman Reserve in Paynesville, the wicket and outfield in pristine order, making it conducive to batting.
Orbost will make the trip knowing that they will need to graft out a significant score if they are to get the points.
The conditions will be in the wheel house of Price, who missed out in round one and will be keen to bounce back, as will Gulls colossus, Nathan Schoultz, whose never far from a powerhouse innings.
The Blues “B” grade side will play its first game, venturing to the Bruthen to take on the Redbacks.
Orbost and Bruthen will again be having a combined under 16 side, with the side playing at Bruthen on Saturday morning against Paynesville.
Orbost under 13s will commence their season with an away game on Friday night against Meerlieu.
