Lakes Entrance has moved to second on the Bairnsdale Cricket Association ladder after defeating West Bairnsdale in round-five action at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
Play was halted at about 6.20pm last Saturday with West Bairnsdale at 7/111 in reply to the Seagulls’ 8/201 from their 40 overs.
With just over 10 overs remaining, Lakes Entrance claimed victory via the Duckworth-Lewis method, as West Bairnsdale sat well behind the required target of 163 at that stage.
West skipper Brodie Anderson won the toss and sent the visitors in. The Seagulls posted one of the higher scores recorded at City Oval in recent times, despite a slow outfield, keeping the scoreboard ticking at five runs per over.
Most batsmen made a start, with English import Reece Gray top-scoring with a well-compiled 58 from 86 balls. Jake Le Maitre (36), Will Davidson (28), Scott Tite (20), Ryan Hooper (17) and Ben John (15) all made valuable contributions.
Former skipper Ryan Halford was the pick of the West bowlers, taking 3/29, while Oscar Clarke finished with 2/21.
In reply, West Bairnsdale was on the required run rate at 3/60 in the 12th over after Ryan Halford (16) fell to a great catch from Laurie Thomson off the bowling of Scott Davidson. Halford had added 37 runs with Atley Williams (23) in just five overs.
Williams was bowled by Liam Clorley shortly after as wickets tumbled. Brodie Anderson (23 from 46) and Patrick Halford (12 from 14) were at the crease when play was stopped.
Gray capped off a strong all-round performance by claiming 2/16 from seven overs with the ball.
The Seagulls will host Paynesville in another one-day fixture this Saturday.