Bairnsdale Cricket Association action resumes after the Australia Day long weekend competition bye this Saturday, with Lakes Entrance looking to make every post a winner in its quest for finals action.
With three rounds remaining — all two-day fixtures — the Seagulls sit sixth on the ladder and are hoping to turn their form around in the coming weeks and at least emulate last year’s semi-final appearance.
Wy Yung (52 points) currently sits on top of the table, ahead of Lindenow South Glenaladale (52), Lucknow (36), West Bairnsdale (34), Orbost (30), Lakes Entrance (28) and Paynesville (24).
The Seagulls will face St Mary’s Nagle (away), Paynesville (away) and Orbost (home) in the coming weeks.
Lakes Entrance will likely need to win all three matches to qualify for finals, or at least collect maximum points in one or possibly two matches.
Their greatest problem all season has been a lack of consistency with the bat, which has prevented them from winning consecutive matches during the campaign.
The bowling line-up of Scott Tite, Noah Dodd, Jake Le Maitre, Kaleb Day and Ollie Chaplin has performed well most weeks and is capable of restricting strong sides to gettable totals.
If the Seagulls are to make the finals, they will need a strong five weeks from key batters Ryan Hooper, Ben John, Chaplin, Le Maitre and Liam Allen, who is due to fire.
If those performances don’t come, the chances of making finals look forlorn.
This week’s opponent, St Mary’s Nagle, has performed much better in recent matches, defeating Paynesville and pushing Wy Yung in the two games since the Christmas break.
Star Ricky Tatnell is in good form, Brayden McCarrey is capable of anything, Flynn Thompson and Randall Stewart have been solid recent additions, while Jacob Hurry and Nathan Yarde have shown they are more than capable.
Lakes Entrance will be hoping it is their side that clicks, not their opponent, and that they can keep their season alive.
The Seagulls’ “B” grade side returns to action on Saturday against Lucknow at Hudson-Alvin Oval.
The club’s under 13 sides are set to resume play this Friday night, with the White side hosting Wy Yung at St Brendan’s, while the Maroon side travels to face Bruthen Black at the Bruthen Recreation Reserve.
