Orbost was no match for an in-form Lakes Entrance in round five of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association, but will take some confidence from holding on to avert a potential outright victory on day two at the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve.
The Blues resumed at 2/19, chasing the Seagulls massive first innings total of 6/358 declared and despite seven players reaching double figures, it was only Luke Endley with 35 that made any significant contribution.
The measly Lakes Entrance attack, whose team sit second on the ladder, kept the pressure on the Blues, able to use attacking field placements to advantage with a plethora of runs in the bank.
The winless Orbost bundled out for just 124 inside of 44 overs, much to the delight of the confident Seagulls outfit, who immediately asked them to bat again.
Lakes Entrance’s imports were again to the fore, with orthodox spinner, Sam Kincaid claiming 5/47 and medium paceman, Jack Timms 3/23.
Orbost was required to bat 47 overs in the second innings to avoid outright defeat, and at 5/58 things didn’t look good, but some brave lower order batting by Alfie Lindsay (21 not out), Fletcher Morgan and Endley saw them keep the Seagulls at bay in a tense final hour, finishing at 6/100 at stumps.
Earlier Jayden Price (23) and Mikael Hulme (20) got starts, but as was the case in this match, the Orbost batsmen were dismissed when they had done the hard yards to get in and set.
Jarryd Leeworthy was the leading wicket taker in the second dig for Lakes, taking 2/22.
The Seagulls new found ability to bat and form valuable partnerships, with the batsmen pushing through and establishing decent scores, pivotal in another outstanding win.
In “B” grade, the Blues could only muster 66, with Meerlieu knocking the target over in just eight overs.
In this week’s matches, “A” grade Orbost will be looking for its first win of the season, when it welcomes Wy Yung to the Orbost Recreation Reserve.
The “B” grade match will see the Blues take on archrival, Lakes Entrance in a one day match at St Brendan’s in Lakes Entrance.
