Orbost faces a huge task if it is to record its first win of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association premier league season, with arch rival, Lakes Entrance having posted a huge score on the first day of their two-day fixture last Saturday at the Lakeside Oval.
The Seagulls look to have the advantage after a career best score from Englishman, Josh Sackfield and some late wickets.
Unbeaten in the first four rounds and currently sitting second on the ladder, the Seagulls won the toss and amassed a huge 6/358 from 69 overs.
Declaring late in the day, a tired and morale-sapped Blues outfit lipped to 2/19.
Opening the batting with co-captain, Ben John, Sackfield batted superbly, making 175 runs from just 204 balls, including 22 stylish boundaries.
He has certainly adapted to the Australian conditions better the second time around, after making some solid contributions in season 2022/23.
John (35) and Sackfield shared an 83-run opening partnership, which set up the tone for the day for Lakes Entrance, as they batted at a run rate of greater than five an over.
Wickets were hard earned for the Blues, as Liam Allen joined Sackfield, the pair combining for a 110 run partnership for the second wicket.
Allen made a nice half century from just 68 balls, including three boundaries and a maximum, which bought riotous applause from his teammates.
One of the features of the 2024/2025 Seagulls has been the partnership, which have seen the side convert last season’s totals of 140-160 into 200 and beyond.
Sackfield was eventually dismissed with a score on 291, sharing another 98-run unison with fellow import, Jack Timms, who again impressed, making a well accumulated 61 from just 52 balls, including four boundaries.
Timms’ ability to rotate the strike and run hard between the wickets was the feature of his game.
The Seagulls lost wickets as they pushed forward towards 400, finally declaring the innings closed at 358 after the dismissal of co-captain, Jake Le Maitre for 15 off 14 balls.
The leading wicket takers for the Blues were Alex Hulme (2/104) and Luke Endley (2/77).
It’s always a tough ask to bat late in the day after you have chased plenty of leather, and that was the case as they lost Jayden Price and Alex Hulme in that tough final 10 overs.
Timms and Sam Kincaid both picked up a wicket.
In “B” grade, Orbost defeated St Mary’s Nagle in a run feast that saw almost 500 runs scored in the days 80 overs.
Batting first, Orbost was bowled out in the 38 over for 249, with Nick Hulme making a sensational 143 from 110 balls, including 25 boundaries.
He brought up his century from just 70 balls and shared in 125 run third wicket partnership with Adam Hardy who made 57 from 52 balls.
Nagle looked set for victory at 3/175, but some good bowling and fielding saw them restricted to 8/233.
Youngsters Mitchell Farley (3/52) and Lucas Shanahan (2/58) were the leading wicket takers.
This week’s “B” grade match is at Meerlieu against the Tussocks.
