Orbost is off to the best possible start in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) 2025/26 season, unbeaten after two rounds after accounting for Paynesville in a tight match at AJ Freeman Reserve last Saturday.
Both sides went into the clash full of confidence after posting big scores and victories in round one, seven days prior.
Blues skipper, Curtley Farley won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a good wicket, Orbost disappointingly bundled out in the 43rd over for just 144.
Tracking along nicely at 1-65 in the 15th over, the Blues were thinking of a score over 200, but a middle order collapse that saw them lose 5-6, put pay to that quickly.
Luke Humphries (41 from 51) again looked impressive at the top of the order, but it was stoic knocks from Alex Hulme (26 from 71) and Nick Hulme (26 from 50), as well as an industrious innings from Alfie Lindsay (16 from 23), that ultimately allowed Orbost to reach 144, which looked unlikely at times.
The Hulme brothers put on 46 for the seventh wicket after Campbell Holland (3/10) and Aaron Cameron (3/28) removed the middle order with ease.
Rodney Clack (3/30) contribution was also significant, removing both Hulme brothers, when they were looking to prosper.
Paynesville skipper, Isaac Love deployed the dangerous Nathan Schoultz at the top of the order this week and he didn’t disappoint making an enterprising 50 from just 55 balls, the game evening up at his departure at 4-66.
Humphries just as impressive with the ball taking 3/20, including last weeks heroes, Cameron and Noah Bennett.
A productive partnership between Love (17) and Caleb Marsh (18) took the score 98, but three quick wickets to Alex Hulme (3/23), saw the Gulls with their backs against the wall at 7/102.
Luke Endley (2/14) picked up Lochlan Wells shortly after as the Blues began to close in on victory.
Mitchell Wilmott (12) and Campbell Holland (3 not out) got the score to 128, before Endley and Nick Hulme (1/5) cleaned the tail up, with just 14 runs to spare.
The Blues certainly not as impressive as in round one, but heading home with the points, and sitting pretty in second place on the ladder currently.
Orbost will host St Mary’s Nagle this week, the Saints will be looking to bounce back after disappointing defeats in the opening two rounds.
