North Sportsman’s has cemented itself on top of the ladder at the end of the Big Bash season with a comfortable victory over South Gambier at Marist Park.
South Gambier entered the match needing a win to secure a top three spot, but it was not to be, after winning the toss and batting first the Demons struggled to put runs on the board.
Stephen Easterbrook got South Gambier off to a quick start but he was unable to turn his start into a score.
It was Tim Young who struck with Alex Hutton catching Easterbrook on 15 off nine balls.
Easterbrook’s opening partner Jed Sims suffered a similar fate soon after, out for three off the bowling of Isaac Mulraney.
Nick McInerney found the gap between Robert Drenthen’s bat and pad after his start of eight, as South found itself in trouble at 3/30.
Another three quick wickets fell with David Somerfield, Josh Thompson and Adam Kuhl all falling short.
Having lost 6/18 South Gambier needed a standout performance to get itself into the contest.
Hanish Jalota and Jakob Opie both managed to get to 10 but could not go any further for their side with Elliot Fisher and McInerney picking up a wicket each.
Noah Maxwell and Nick Seeger could only manage to add 10 runs to South Gambier’s total with the tenth wicket partnership.
South Gambier was all out in the 18th over with Maxwell caught on five.
Nick McInerney was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/ 4 while Fisher was also excellent with 3/14.
North had 20 overs to chase 75 runs, only requiring just less than four an over.
South Gambier desperately needed early wickets if it was to pull off an upset.
Easterbrook provided an early breakthrough for the visitors with Nicholas Brown caught on one in the third over.
Captain Elliot Fisher came to the crease and took control of the match, scoring freely.
Alex Hutton provided great support to Fisher as the pair quickly chased down South Gambier’s total as North Sportsman’s wrapped up a nine-wicket win.
Fisher finished not out on 52 off 37, while Hutton’s innings provided excellent support with 19 off 37 not out.
North Sportsman’s now goes straight through to the Dycer Constructions Big Bash final and will await the winner of East Gambier vs Penola.
