After being starved of recent opportunities, the Orbost Cricket Club finally returned to the field for a two-day fixture in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade competition against Paynesville at the Orbost Recreation Reserve, but disappointingly rain on day two cruelled any chance of banking valuable points.
Six points for winning could have established a significant buffer ahead of the chasing pack for an all-important finals berth in 2025/26.
The Blues were bowled out on Saturday for 242 in the 65th over, before the Gulls impressively made it through to stumps, 0/33 at the close of play.
Lachie Wilmott (19) and Caleb Marsh (13) successfully negotiated 15 tense overs.
Earlier Orbost got some significant contributions, but numerous batsmen got out when looking set for a big score.
In saying that, it was going to take something special for the Gulls to chase down the total.
Mikael Hulme (43), Alfie Lindsay (52), Jayden Price (52) and Tim Osborn (28) were the leading scorers.
Lindsay played his best innings for the club in his now annual trip back from the United Kingdom, grafting hard for 128 balls, waiting for the bad ball, and helping himself to nine boundaries.
It was another exciting cameo from Price, facing 69 balls, hitting six boundaries and his regulation maximum.
Osborn impressed late in the order, adding valuable runs with Nicholas Davis (16), whose batting is underrated.
Gulls skipper Isaac Love bowled superbly, picking up 4/45 from 16 overs, well supported by Wilmott (3/47) and the multi-talented workhorse Nathan Schoultz (2/69).
Orbost remain in third spot on the ladder, with 30 points, the same as fourth-placed Lucknow, two points ahead of West Bairnsdale, four points in front of Lakes Entrance and holding a six-point advantage over Paynesville.
Lindenow South Glenaladale and Wy Yung have established a clear advantage over those sides at the top of the table.
With five rounds remaining, the Blues are well placed to play finals, with their next match a two-day round 12 fixture at home against current boom side, Wy Yung on January 10-11, 2026.
