North Sportsman’s must produce some magic if it is to keep its dynasty alive after a long day in the field against South Gambier following a celebrated return to Marist Park last weekend.
After winning the toss and electing to field first, the Tigers could only watch as Stephen Easterbrook’s slashing willow pushed the Demons to the equal highest score of the 2021/22 Hoggies Wines Barber Shield season.
Eastertbrook took the game away from the hosts in grand style with a century not unlike Travis Head’s Ashes heroics.
The experienced right-hander walked in at a tricky time after North made inroads with the new ball.
The man who had almost scored half of South’s runs in the previous round Daniel Loupos, was sent packing by Tim Young in the third over for just two, while his opening partner Ryan Kuhl could only reach four before falling to Trent Badman.
After 13.1 overs the scoreboard read 2/15 and many fans had seen this story before at Marist Park where the home side will crush its opponents with the ball.
However, South – a side looking to salvage some pride from its last game of the season – was not going to die wondering and Easterbrook led the fightback.
The number four showed his intentions by finding the boundary rope on his fourth delivery before smashing Badman out of the attack with 23 runs in 10 balls.
Easterbrook was the driving force behind two critical stands alongside Ethan and Jed Sims.
The first with Ethan Sims (16) guided South to parity at 2/61 until the youngster’s stumps were rattled by Isaac Mulraney, while the fourth-wicket stand with Jed Sims (27) pushed the visitors ahead in the game.
After reaching his half century, Easterbrook shifted gears and went on the attack getting the partnership going with a maximum off the miserly Young.
With a century approaching Easterbrook entered One-Day mode and showed no nerves in doing so striking 30 runs off his last 19 balls.
The return of Badman to the attack was met with delight by the right-hander, who hit five boundaries in seven balls to hit the bowler out of the captain’s thoughts again and motor through the nineties.
On the cusp of glory Easterbrook got inventive and brought out the ramp against the spin of Elliott Fisher off consecutive balls to bring up the magical milestone off just 85 deliveries.
It was Easterbrook’s seventh century in a storied career, but first for the Demons and the emotion was clear as he kissed the cap in celebration.
Still feeling a high, he smashed the next ball to the boundary which just eclipsed the fingers of mid off, but found the fielder in the next over to end his 106.
After the man who had hit 72% of the total had departed, the usually shaky South middle order still had plenty of work to do and delivered in spades.
Batters five to nine all made valuable contributions led by experienced heads Michael Sims (29) and Cameron Jorgensen (27) to give the Demons the upper hand.
The captain was the last to fall to ensure his team not only eclipsed 200 for the first time this season, but register an imposing 258.
Young, Kenny and Mulraney were the leading lights with the ball.
