Lakes Entrance has crashed out of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA) finals in disappointing fashion, succumbing to Wy Yung in its semi final clash at the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
Such was the dominance of the Tigers, who have been undefeated since round four, the Seagulls surrendered the match on Saturday night, requiring only one day of the scheduled two-day fixture, to confirm their billing as premiership favourites for the 2024/25 season.
Lakes Entrance was successful in 10 of its first 12 matches in the home and away season, before suffering devastating losses to Paynesville and West Bairnsdale in the final two rounds of the season.
Their only win in the final six weeks of the season was in the BCA one-day final, which they scored a win over two-day grand final aspirant Lindenow South Glenaladale.
The Seagulls were unbeaten through their one-day campaign but it mattered for little against the rampant Tigers last Saturday.
Wy Yung skipper Stevie Bertino won the toss and sent Lakes into bat, but unfortunately the Seagulls were dismissed in the 37th over for a miserly 71.
Jack Timms (26) was the clear pick of the batters, getting some support from Daniel Bryant (14) and Kaleb Day (11), as Bertino (5/31), Darcy Murray (3/13) and Damian Vicary (2/21) ran through the out-of-form Seagulls.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Tigers, with work still to be done at 5/56, but an unbeaten partnership between Ray Stevens (32) and Ben Channing (31) saw them reach 5/117 by stumps, the lead significant enough for Lakes to concede defeat.
Todd Murray (15) and Daniel Gledhill (13) made contributions early for Wy Yung, while Sam Kincaid again impressed with the ball for the Seagulls taking 3/47.
Wy Yung will meet minor premier Lindenow South Glenaladale in the grand final at Meerlieu this weekend.
Lakes Entrance Cricket Club will hold its presentation night on Wednesday, March 26.
