Lakes Entrance won its final match of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association regular season, but it was not enough to propel them into the 2025–26 finals.
The Seagulls needed to defeat arch-rival Orbost and also relied on bottom side Meerlieu causing an upset against Lucknow to secure a place in the top four. At several stages throughout the afternoon it looked a distinct possibility, but a gutsy partnership between Magpies veterans Jarry Floyd and Beau Haslam closed the door on the Lakes Entrance fairytale.
Sent in by Orbost, the Seagulls posted a competitive 154, bowled out in the final over. While not a huge total, it proved a challenging target with the season on the line and pressure mounting from enthusiastic opponents.
Ben John again looked solid at the top of the order for Lakes Entrance, making 19 from 20 balls. When in full flight, he makes batting look easy. Liam Allen continued his late-season resurgence with the bat, compiling a patient 36 from 73 balls, including three boundaries and a six, before being run out.
Ollie Chaplin (17), skipper Jake Le Maitre (19) and Noah Dodd (18) all made handy contributions as the Seagulls placed greater value on their wickets than in some earlier matches during an up-and-down season.
Alex Hulme was the star with the ball for the Blues, claiming 4/24 from eight overs, including two in his first three balls, while Josh Court was the only other multiple wicket-taker with 2/25.
Orbost was quickly in trouble at 3/17, with key batters Luke Humphries and Jayden Price back in the pavilion as Scott Tite (2/14) found his rhythm with the new ball.
Alfie Lindsay, whose batting has improved markedly this season, worked hard for 33 from 75 balls. He and Luke Endley (27 from 20) added 33 for the fourth wicket as Orbost looked to work their way back into the contest. Endley was eventually caught behind off the bowling of Le Maitre, and with his departure the scoring rate slowed as Lindsay and Mikael Hulme (18 from 46) attempted to steady the innings.
Chaplin (3/12) eventually removed Lindsay before Kaleb Day (3/26) cleaned up the tail, including Alex Hulme, who made 18 from 20 balls.
Orbost finished 42 runs short with 66 balls remaining.
The win marked the first time in the 2025–26 campaign that the Seagulls had strung together consecutive victories, but it ultimately came too late. Lakes Entrance finished the season in fifth place with six wins and six losses, two points behind Lucknow.
