East Gambier shapes up to be the team to beat in the 2020- 21 Hoggies Wines Barber Shield after its undefeated opening to the season.
The Bulldogs backed up its opening-round triumph with a solid win over Penola in a low-scoring affair. East skipper Alex Hentschke was the star of the match with the impressive figures of 5/17 and he immediately hurt the Eagles.
Hentschke opened the bowling and knocked over Lewis March four balls into the game before dismissing Sam Klemm for another duck in his next over. Penola’s respective captain and vice captain Mark Smith and Jack Mullan eased the nerves with a 43-run partnership, but the introduction of spin finished the latter’s knock on 31.
The spin trio of Kev Thomson, Emerson Marks and Ben Hentschke tore apart the Eagles’ middle order with five wickets as a combination. After seeing his side slip from 2/47 to 6/53, Smith went on the attack and struck a series of blows over the midwicket boundary.
He added 39 runs to give his team’s score some respectability, but was undone by his opposing number. Without their captain, Penola’s tail could not cope with Alex Hentschke’s pace and the visitors were bowled out for just 98.
The Bulldogs’ run chase was far from a smooth ride after opener Darren Whitehorn was out LBW just two balls into the innings by Michael Waters. Marks appeared to ease the nerves with 16, but double strikes from Waters and Conrad Slabber sent shivers through East’s dressing room.
The home side was on a perilous 5/29, but remaining opener Connor Little stood tall at the other end. His gritty innings denied every Eagles’ challenge as he built steady partnerships with Alex Hentschke and Travis Younghusband.
Once Penola had finally found a way past Little’s defence after 37 overs and 43 runs at the crease, East was on the brink of victory and Ben Hentschke and Younghusband ensured the home side finished on 8/109.
Alex Hentshcke said it was nice to pick up his first five-wicket haul of the season, but put the win down to a team performance. “It always feels good to get some wickets,” he said. “The deck played well with a nice bit of pace on it and we bowled and fielded nicely as a group.
“The spinners have been outstanding, but we almost let it slip with the bat. “(Penola) bowled well which made it hard, but Connor knuckled down when things were tough and hopefully that shapes his year.”
