Despite some nervous moments with the bat Lakes Entrance has claimed its third Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade victory in as many matches, defeating St Mary’s Nagle by three wickets at the Lakeside Oval last Saturday.
Chasing 140 for victory, the Seagulls were flying at 2/81 when a collapse of 4/12 saw the Saints fly back into the contest, reducing the home side to 6/93.
However, some steady heads and a cameo from wicket keeper Liam Allen saw Lakes home with more than five overs to spare.
The Seagulls have made a superb start to the season against the white ball and currently sit second on the ladder, behind fellow unbeaten side Lindenow South Glenaladale with reigning premier West Bairnsdale just in arrears.
Lakes won the toss and decided to bowl against the Saints following a Friday night downpour. However any thought of some early ball movement was thwarted by St Mary’s openers Brayden McCarrey and Harvey Spaxman, who powered their side past 50 in quick time.
Spaxman was at his blistering best, finding the boundary four times and clearing the rope with a straight six from the bowling of off spinner Josh Sackfield.
Just as Spaxman was about to up the ante, he hit a Sam Kincaid short ball straight to cover, departing for 40 off 46 balls.
Spaxman’s departure saw the Saints’ run rate slow as Fraser Gibson and captain Ricky Tatnell departed in quick succession at the hands of Englishman Jack Timms.
McCarrey’s (30) dismissal saw the run rate slow further, the Seagulls able to restrict St Mary’s to two runs an over for the final 20 overs.
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The visitors finished their innings at 8/140 with Zac Delaney fighting for 14 not out in the lower order.
Timms was the best of the Lakes bowlers taking 3/25, while Bobby Sproule (2/21) and Phani Kumar (2/17) also helped stem the tide following the drinks break.
Lakes’ reply started slowly losing co-captain Ben John without scoring while Ryan Hooper was caught in slip for seven.
At 2/23 the Seagulls needed to dig in and did so with Sackfield and Timms rebuilding.
Sackfield showed his flare belting 10 boundaries on his way to 53 from 51 balls, handing the ascendency back to the home side.
He and Timms put on 57 for the third wicket, however when Sackfield departed the wheels fell off for the Seagulls.
Daniel Bryant came and went then Timms was caught behind for 18. Kumar and Harish Sunke attempted to revive the Seagulls innings, however the pair made a combined 10 runs from 59 balls as the Saints tightened the screws.
When Sunke was bowled, the Seagulls still required 33 for victory.
But enter Allen. The lower order batsman quickly got into his work, his 18 not out including a brilliant straight six into the breeze as he and Jake Le Maitre saw the side home with plenty of time to spare.
Delaney and Randall Stewart each took two wickets for the Saints.
Lakes heads back to Lucknow for the first two-day fixture this weekend as it looks to consolidate its spot inside the top four.
“B” FALLS SHORT
Lakes’ “B” grade season finally got underway, however the Seagulls fell 39 runs short against a strong Lucknow outfit at St Brendan’s.
The Magpies built steady partnerships on their way to 9/158, led by 46 from Mitch Johnson and a handy 26 from captain Darcy Simpson.
Wickets were shared for the Seagulls, the returning Laurie Thomson superb with the nw ball taking 3/18, while Sean Reid claimed 4/34 with James Daly and Mick Poynton taking one each.
Despite losing captain Jacob Daly and Brett Boyd cheaply, Jarryd Leworthy (15), Kaleb Day (34) and Poynton (32) gave the Seagulls hope.
However, a lower order collapse of 5/13 ended the Seagulls slim hopes.
Johnson backed up his batting efforts by taking 4/20 with Simpson and Ben Powell claiming two wickets each.
the Seagulls take on Metung Swan Reach this Saturday at the Lakeside Oval.
Both Lakes’ under 13 games were washed out last Friday night.
