Lakes Entrance’s Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade finals hopes took a huge dent on Saturday.
The Seagulls lost to Lindenow South Glenaladale by six wickets, despite a quality batting performance to set up a total of 185.
The loss means Lakes is 12 points behind both Orbost and the Blues with three rounds remaining.
Lindenow South Glenaladale star, Haydn Erfurth, led his side to victory, chasing down the total with five overs to spare on the back of his unbeaten 83 off 111 balls.
Despite a slow start, contributions from Leigh Walker (42 off 63) and Tom Stubbs (29 off 35), followed by some aggressive stroke play by Ben Crittenden (35 off 22) and Fraser Dostine (22 off 16), allowed the Seagulls to take the box seat at the tea break.
However, the Bulls showed intent in their run chase from the outset and when Scott Davidson scored 42 off 39 balls during the middle overs, the visitors had taken the ascendency.
Erfurth controlled the innings, playing superbly despite being dropped prior to reaching his half century.
Fraser Dostine was the best of the Lakes bowlers taking 2/24 from eight overs.
Lakes’ “B” graders went down to St Mary’s Nagle by 111 runs at Nagle.
The Seagulls faced a stiff chase after the Saints blasted 4/215.
Will Forrester was the only multiple wicket taker for Lakes with two.
The visitors were never in the hunt, losing 5/13 before recovering to score 104 all out in the 38th over.
But while the Seagulls’ “A” and “B” grade sides went down, the “C” graders were dominant, destroying Paynesville White to the tune of 143 runs at Paynesville.
Jim Allen and Matt Allan were the stars as Lakes posted 5/221, the former making 46 and the latter 84, the pair combining for 12 boundaries and eight sixes.
Paynesville’s run chase never got off the ground as first Ryan Summerton (2/31) and then Ryan McGee (3/9) and Anna Quinsey-Munro (3/10) ripped through the home side.
IMAGE
Lakes Entrance opening bowler, Fraser Dostine, digs in a short ball at Lindenow South Glenaladale’s Haydn Erfurth. Dostine took 2/24 from eight overs, but it wasn’t enough as the Bulls chased down 185 with six wickets in hand. K22-2112