North Gambier V South Gambier

After a dominant performance with the ball last week, and a strong start with the bat, South Gambier headed into the Saturday’s play strong favourites against North Sportsmans in the second day of Barber Shield cricket at Marist Park.

North had struggled with the bat as their team was lacking many important players including captain Nick Mclnerney.

North would have been hoping their total of 110 was be enough to get the win at home.

South started the day well adding 22 runs to their total before North Gambier’s Isaac Mulraney was able to break the opening partnership, bowling South Gambier vice captain Daniel Loupos for 17.

Declan Kenny was a big absence last week and North did not have to wait long for him to have an impact as he was able to break the next partnership with Adam Kuhl only lasting five balls, with Kenny being able to take the catch off his own delivery.

Jed Sims was then brought to the crease to offer support to Robert Drenthen, but Kenny again broke the partnership before it could develop properly as he beat the bat of Sims, who was only able to add seven to South’s total, leaving the Demons 3 down for 74 runs.

With 7 wickets in hand and only requiring 37 runs, South looked sure winners.

Ryan Kuhl was brought to the middle and offered an important supporting role to the already established Drenthen.

The Drenthen and Kuhl partnership continued to lower the required runs before tea.

With South only needing 12 runs to win after the break it seemed a South victory was a guarantee.

However, the weather set in over the tea break and it was looking like North could escape with a draw from the clutches of defeat thanks to the rain.

With over an hour passing it was not looking likely the game would be able to reach a conclusion, but the teams were eventually able to return to the field as the rain dissipated.

Drenthen passed the half century mark and was on his way to bat the innings out until North was able to finally snare his wicket on 61 via a run out.

Drenthen departed the crease after delivering an appropriate performance for the match situation, scoring more than half the runs the Demons required at an effective strike rate of 67.77%.

At 4-99, South was still confident they could get the win.

North’s bowlers fought hard to stop the inevitable, but the South batsmen were too good chasing down North’s total with 6 wickets to spare.

Kuhl and Stephen Easterbrook finished unbeaten for 11 and 15 respectively.

South skipper Camron Jorgensen considered Drenthen’s half century as one of few highlights in a day marred by rain.

When speaking about his teammate’s innings, Jorgensen was full of praise.

“Rob is seeing them like beach balls this season,” he said.

Jorgensen said he believed that each game had seen the turf “be very tricky” for Drenthen.

“But he’s digging in and really making the most of opening up in all formats,” he said.

South was able to take their second win of the Hoggies Wines Barber Shield season, leaving them third on the ladder as they face the challenge of a top of the table West next week.

However, Jorgensen is confident in his side “regardless of the opponent”.

North however will still be searching for their first win of the Barber Shield for 2022/23 against an also winless Mil Lel.

Mil Lel Vs Penola

In a battle for each team’s first points in a season disrupted by unfavourable weather, Penola managed to secure the points over a struggling Mil Lel side.

After sending Mil Lel in last week and being able to knock them over for the measly score of 79, Penola were able to make this week a lot less work only requiring 35 runs from the day’s play to take the points at Frew Park.

The weather looked worrying though and Mil Lel was hopeful their bowlers would be able to add quickly to the three wickets they took last week.

While Mil Lel’s bowlers did an excellent job last week taking 3/38 from the 11 overs, including two for Nick Walters, their batsmen had left them a tough task to defend.

Mil Lel’s task required Penola to suffer a batting collapse of colossal proportion, as the situation was to take 7 wickets without giving away 35 runs.

It seemed the weather might be the only way they would escape defeat from last season’s Barber Shield premiers.

Unfortunately for Mil Lel the job was too difficult, with the batting partnership that started the day proving too strong.

Opener Lewis March and captain Drew Clayfield looked at ease as they put on an incredible 94 run partnership, beating Mil Lel’s total by themselves.

As they guided the Eagles to victory with Mil Lel not able to take another wicket until their total was well and truly beaten.

As Clayfield brought up his 50 the Penola batsman could bat with freedom having already secured the victory.

Mil Lel would finally get their first and only wicket for the day, the consolation wicket of the Penola skipper, as Clayfield was caught by Logan Gibbs off Jack Miller’s bowling.

Clayfield departed for a match winning 57.

That brought Eli Hunter to the crease who finished scoreless off his eight deliveries he faced but remained not out.

March also remained not out for the game finishing with an accumulative 36 off 104 balls.

Clayfield’s brilliant knock of 57 was the top score for the game, with the best bowling figures for the game going to his teammate Lachy Jones with a destructive 4/18.

Penola will be far more confident going up against an undefeated East Gambier side now having a win under their belt, while Mil Lel will be hoping for a better performance with the bat and ball against North.

East Gambier Vs West Gambier

The game at Malseed Park was unable to get under way due to the weather, prompting play to be abandoned.

West was all out last week for 99, and East was set to start the day 8 for no loss.

The game was firmly in the balance and had potential to be an exciting contest between the two teams that sit on top of the table.

We will just have to hope for better weather when they come face to face again in round 7, which will surely be an enthralling match.