Lakes Entrance now sits on top of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) ladder after recording its 10th and most significant win of the campaign in round 11 action at the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
The success story of the BCA season, the Seagulls knocked off reigning premier West Bairnsdale in a classy run chase that further outlined the confidence and poise that has become a trademark of the team as it continues to rack up wins in season 2024/25.
Set 164 to win, a task that would have tested and frustrated the Seagulls in recent seasons, Lakes cruised to another outstanding victory, with seven wickets in hand and 17 overs remaining.
Lindenow South Glenaladale went into the round on top of the table, but after it went down to boom side Wy Yung, the Seagulls now sit on top.
One could actually argue the Seagulls are the competition’s boom side. Either way they are looming as the side to beat.
The weekend’s result will also see the BCA one-day competition grand final between Lakes and the Bulls now hosted by the Seagulls (date to be confirmed).
West captain Ryan Halford won the toss and opted to bat, which was no great surprise, and several times in the innings that decision looked vindicated.
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Sam Stewart (19) and Brodie Anderson (50) put on 47 for opening wicket and with contributions from Mitch Toms (21) and Jake Anderson (15) West looked well placed at 3/121 but lost both Brodie Anderson and Atley Williams for the addition of just two runs, eventually losing the final seven wickets for just 43, which included 15 from Adam Hudson and 11 from Jacob Zumach, the second run out victim of the innings.
The other was Jake Anderson, falling after some slick work by Josh Sackfield at mid on.
Consistent left arm spinner Sam Kincaid (3/31) and Kaleb Day (2/23) were the multiple wicket takers for the Seagulls.
The win was set up by several outstanding partnerships, which has become the cornerstone of the Lakes Entrance winning streak.
Leworthy (88 from 67 balls) and Sackfield (39) put on 88 for the first wicket, before Liam Allen (19) helped take the score to 128.
Leworthy was the star of the show, in his most significant performance from limited appearances thus far this season, his innings including 10 boundaries and four maximums.
When he was dismissed at 3/152, the game was in the bag, his effort giving the Seagulls another potential match winner, with recent addition Tom Stubbs not even required to bat.
Wounded co-captain Ben John, who is currently on the sidelines with a knee injury, was delighted with the result.
“We are playing consistent cricket, and the great thing is we haven’t got it totally right yet. Still plenty of scope for improvement,” John said.
The Seagulls have two-day away matches against, Metung Swan Reach and Paynesville in the next two rounds.
The Swans are struggling at present, so it looms as a potential maximum points encounter for the Seagulls.
Paynesville is formidable on its day, especially if gun bat Nathan Schoultz comes to play.
In “B” grade Lakes posted its highest score of the season, keeping the finals dream alive with an emphatic victory over a battling Metung Swan Reach.
Batting first the Seagulls were bowled at the Swan Reach Recreation Reserve in the 39th over for 264 with plenty of batsmen finding form with the willow.
The huge score was one of the highest recorded at that venue in recent times, with runs often hard to come by on a difficult wicket.
Jack Reggardo led all scorers with a classy half century, well supported by James Daly (39), Michael Poynton (31), Brett Boyd (22), Harper Davis (22), Harry Reed (18) and Laurie Thomson (17).
In reply, the Swans were dismissed for just 64 inside 23 overs, with Will Forrester making up for his failure with the bat, leading the way with the ball snaring 2/5.
He was well supported by Thomson (2/10) and Daly (2/19).
With five games to play, the Seagulls sit in eighth place on the ladder, two matches outside the top four, but with a senior team in form, depth is likely to be strong over the next month, so a play for finals action isn’t out of the question.
This week the Seagulls face a crucial match against second-ranked Lucknow at Hudson-Alvin Oval.
Junior action resumed last Friday night with the Lakes Entrance under 13 sides playing a friendly.
This week the White side battles with Metung Swan Reach at the Swan Recreation Reserve, while the Maroon team will host Meerlieu/754 at St Brendans.
