Bairnsdale Cricket Association has avoided relegation from the provincial section of Melbourne Country Week after a splendid performance last Thursday at the Walter Galt Reserve in Mordialloc.
Winless on the first three days in group matches against Ferntree Gully, Sale-Maffra and Warrnambool Moyne, Bairnsdale pitted against Leongatha in the relegation match.
Batting first Bairnsdale amassed a remarkable 9/366 from its 50 overs, led by a fabulous hundred from Brodie Anderson (113 from 133 balls), which included nine boundaries and two maximums.
Anderson featured in two match-defining partnership, the first an opening unison of 136 with Zimbabwean Connor Mitchell (70 from 59), whose innings included 12 boundaries.
He then added 93 for the second wicket with the hard-hitting, Jay Peiris (56 from 54).
Anderson was eventually dismissed at 5/325, his job done with Bairnsdale also getting quick fire runs from Cameron McPhan (41 from 30), Ricky Tatnell (22 from 12) and an outstanding cameo from Josh Sackfield, who made 25 from just eight balls, including three maximums.
In reply Leongatha was bowled out 234 in the 37th over, with Mitchell capping off a great match with 4/52, with Isaac Love (2/20) and skipper Ryan Halford (2/29) all making valuable contributions.
Bairnsdale began its campaign last Monday, going down to the Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association at the Bayswater Oval.
The new-look Bairnsdale, who were competing in the provincial division this year after winning the division two grand final last year, only had three players (Tatnell, Halford and Anderson) remaining from that campaign.
Ferntree Gully won the toss and sent the Bairnsdale in to bat, the locals dismissed for just 123 in the 33rd over with McPhan top scoring with a well-compiled 42.
Mitchell (29), Nathan Schoultz and Anderson (16 each) looked positive in their innings but got out when they looked set to prosper.
In reply, Ferntree Gully cruised to victory in the 29th over for the loss of just three wickets.
The dismissals were shared between Anderson (1/16), Tatnell (1/30) and Seth Smith (1/18).
On Tuesday Bairnsdale sent Sale-Maffra in at the Coburg City Oval, the Sharks making an impressive 9/262 from their 50-over allotment.
They good valuable runs from Freddie Fellows (21 from 14), Zac Hurley (22), Brad Scott (57), Jake Wynd (28), Anthony Scott (50 from 33), Ben Jones (22) and Jack Rietschel (28).
Wickets for Bairnsdale were shared between Smith (2/40), Halford (2/42) and Anderson (3/45).
Bairnsdale were gallant in the run chase but were eventually bowled out for 201 in the 45th over, with solid efforts by Mitchell (40), Peiris (37 from 32), McPhan (21), Nathan Schoultz (37) and Jack Timms (41).
On Wednesday Bairnsdale batted first after winning the toss and were dismissed for 189 in the 49th over against Warrnambool Moyne, with Peiris (38 from 36) top scoring. Also among the runs were McPhan (31), Sackfield (28), Anderson (27) and Tatnell (17 from 14).
In reply Warrnambool Moyne knocked the runs over in the 45th over for the loss of just six wickets, Tatnell the leading wicket taker with 2/45.
