ON A green deck at Lake Boga, Lakers won the toss and elected to bat first against Swan Hill.
The home team looked in strife at 2/27 until Ryan Callaghan and Alan Hatcher posted a 65 run stand.
Callaghan was scoring slowly after sustaining an injury from a short ball and was eventually dismissed by a stumping from Jack Hughes of the bowling of Matt Lanigan for 32.
Hatcher continued to score all around the ground and along with Jason Kirby as Lakers were looking to post a very competitive total.
Swan Hill then claimed both wickets in quick concession as Jordan Griffiths had Kirby caught by Brad Cockfield and Daniel Cruickshank had Hatcher caught behind for 78 off a short ball.
Cruickshank then cleaned up the Lakers tail order for just 20 runs finishing with figures of six wickets for just two runs.
Tyson Taverna was left stranded on 12 as Lakers posted a total of 65.
After Bowling out their opponents Swan Hill had to face out 13 overs.
They finished the day at 1/27 after Hatcher had Hughes caught behind for a duck.
On the second day, Lakers inability to take their chances hurt them.
Mitch Seaton-Stewart and Harry Clewett were both put down numerous times by the home team until Clewett was finally caught by Taverna for 10 off the bowling of Ryan Callaghan.
Seaton-Stewart continued to ride his luck and after being granted lives reached his 50.
His batting partner Chris Joyce also batted solidly to make 50 before he was caught at midwicket for 55.
After passing the Lakers total Swan Hill ramped up their run rate as Cruickshank smashed a quick fire 50.
Seaton-Stewart finally gave his wicket away looking to score when he was caught on the boundary for 85.
With further help from Lanigan (24) Swan Hill reached a lead of 90 and declared.
With 30 overs to face out, Lakers made hard work of it.
Swan Hill claimed constant wickets but could not claim all 10 wickets.
Alan Hatcher batted fantastically once again finishing not out on 56, standing tall as his team lost on first innings points.
For more on this story see Wednesday’s edition of The Guardian (November 21, 2012).
