Orbost will need to make 263 runs at the Orbost Recreation Reserve if they are to win their first match of the 2024/2025 Bairnsdale Cricket Association season.
The Blues will begin the day with a head start, having progressed to 0/30 at stumps, required to face nine overs before stumps, after dismissing Wy Yung for 263 in the 71st over.
Jayden Price looks in great nick, rushing to 24 not out and looms as the big wicket for the Tigers.
Wy Yung included Ray Stevens and David Wolfe for the clash, the addition of Stevens certainly significant, helping himself to a hard hitting 92 from 125 balls, including 12 boundaries and three maximums.
Unfortunately the legend of Wolfe didn’t increase, dismissed without scoring.
The Tigers again got good contributions from Cameron McPhan (37) and the prolific Ben Saxon (72), who has impressed every time he has walked to the middle this season.
His innings included 10 classy boundaries and two mammoth sixes.
As has become the norm, the wicket at Orbost looked to be full of runs, the Tigers having no hesitation to bat after winning the toss, and at 5/207, a score of over 300 looked possible.
But an inspired spell late in the day from Nick Davis (5/37), his best for the season, saw the Tiger tail offer minimal.
Blues skipper, Curtley Farley again impressed with the ball, taking 3/52, but he will need to back that up with a positive contribution with the bat if his side is to get over the line for a well deserved victory.
Due to the hot weather in the region on Saturday, there was no play in the lower grades, with “B” grade drawn to play Bruthen this week in a one day fixture at the Bruthen Recreation Reserve.
Last week saw the commencement of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association 20/20 competition, with the Blues hosting West Bairnsdale at home.
Batting first Orbost accumulated 9/69 from its 15 overs, in reply Wests chased the score down for the loss of four wickets, with 20 balls remaining.
