Cricket returned to the Bairnsdale City Oval last Saturday and it was a victorious return for West Bairnsdale, defeating a competitive Lakes Entrance in round two of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association.
West was strengthened by the inclusion of its two best cricketers, skipper Ryan Halford and Brodie Anderson, while English fast bowler Scott Tite debuted for the Seagulls.
The Seagulls won the toss and sent the hosts in, with batsmen needing to work hard to keep the score
ticking over.
Momentum changed several times throughout the innings, but West’s score of 9/167 was a reflection of plenty of hard work when several times Lakes threatened to roll them for a score of 130-140.
Brodie Anderson (14) and Tom Hudson (26) added 47 for the first wicket, Hudson taking a liking to the bowling of Ollie Chaplin (4/28), helping himself to consecutive boundaries as he upped the tempo significantly, only to chip the English spinner to a gleeful Kaleb Day the next ball.
Brodie Anderson was adjudged leg before wicket to Seagull skipper Jake Le Maitre (1/20) soon after.
Mitch Toms lacked patience and his 12 from six balls was ended when Chaplin knocked over his stumps, the match evenly poised at 4/70 when Chaplin struck again, bowling Adam Hudson.
Sam Watts impressed making 32, getting good support from Ryan Halford (15), while tailenders Patrick Halford (11) and Jack Lind (13) were unbeaten, their valuable late contributions making the Seagulls’ task harder.
Day (2/23) impressed with the ball late, while Lakes Entrance again got good overs from former keeper Ben John (1/11).
Despite getting off to a flier, Lakes Entrance was unable to make the runs, dismissed in the 31st over for just 129, disappointing given it was 0-47 in the sixth over.
Tom Stubbs was the first to go for 12, and when John’s explosive innings of 40 from just 23 deliveries ended in the seventh over, the Seagulls were 2/57, needing 110 from 38 overs.
But no batsman was able to conquer some consistent line and length bowling that saw four leg before wicket decisions.
Noah Dodd (18 not out) and Le Maitre (17) both worked hard in the middle order, while round one hero Ryan Hooper (12) couldn’t replicate those heroics.
Patrick Halford (3/45), Ryan Halford (3/31) and Jake Anderson (2/8) did the damage for West with the ball, which look likely to push back among the finalists in season 2025/26 after missing out late on the final day of last season’s final home and away round.
The Seagulls face another tough assignment this week when they do battle with Lindenow South Glenaladale at the Glenaladale Recreation Reserve.
The Bulls have a side that doesn’t appear to have a weak link. They are already looming as the side to beat.
