Lakes Entrance went down to arch rival Orbost during round four of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade action at the Orbost Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
The loss has seen the Seagulls drop put of the top four, currently fifth but on the same points as the third and fourth placed teams, Paynesville and West Bairnsdale.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat on another pitch full of runs at the Orbost Recreation Reserve.
The momentum was with it for much of the contest, but Lakes Entrance was left to rue some dropped catches and poor fielding in the second half of innings as Orbost posted 7/288 from its 45 overs.
Luke Humphries (30) again impressed at the top of the order before being bowled by Jake Le Maitre (3/43) who picked up Alex Hulme in the same over without scoring.
Mikael Hulme kept the scoring ticking with an enterprising 45 from 51 balls which included six boundaries and a couple of maximums. When he was dismissed the score was 4/105 after 21 overs, almost evenly poised.
But a 98-run unison between Luke Endley (71 from 66) and skipper, Curtley Farley (44 from 49) in 14 overs, which certainly wasn’t without chances, turned the game well and truly to the advantage of the home side.
Some swashbuckling batting from Endley, Josh Court (41 from 32) and Nicholas Hulme (16 from 12), saw 85 runs runs added in the final 10 overs as the missed chances accumulated for the Seagulls.
Facing with a mammoth chase, Lakes Entrance opener Ben John attacked positively, making 50 from 38 balls, including six boundaries and a couple of lusty blows which cleared the fence totally.
He added 38 for the first wicket with Le Maitre (13), who was disappointed with his soft dismissal at the hands of Alfie Lindsay.
When John went at 3/83, bowled by Court (3/22), Orbost made a concerted effort to take speed out of the bowling and Lakes Entrance’s hopes diminished.
Ryan Hooper again impressed making 33 in the middle order, with Ben Rotheram (13) the only other player to reach double figures.
Endley (2/11) and Nicholas Hulme (3/35) were among the wickets and Jayden Price picked up four stumpings in an impressive display.
The Seagulls will play their first home game of the season this week when they welcome Lucknow to the Lakeside Oval.
The two clubs have had some close contests in recent seasons, the Magpies coming off a hard fought win over Meerlieu, with veterans Jarryd Floyd and Beau Haslam playing pivotal roles.
Key imports Rico Fourie and Ayush Verman both got ducks and will be keen to bounce back in style, which will keep the Seagulls on their toes.
They will be hoping to welcome back Ollie Chaplin, who missed last week and has impressed in the opening rounds, but his availability is yet to be confirmed.
