Adramatic twist on the stroke of stumps has put the Mil Lel v West Gambier Barber Shield clash on a knife-edge after a topsy-turvy opening day.
As the shadows lengthened at Frew Park, Mil Lel appeared to be cruising towards a position of strength at 2/63 in response to the Roos’ 137.
However, West showed why it is the ladder leader with a last-gasp assault to turn the game on its head.
The stunning turnaround was initially brought about by the slick fielding of Oliver Miles before Sam Willis smashed through Mil Lel’s middle order and found himself inches away from a hat-trick to setup a fascinating conclusion next week.
Despite receiving some backlash for bowling in batting conditions in the previous round, Mil Lel captain Jack Miller stuck to his guns and elected to field again.
West was active early with Justin DeJong scoring well to start the day, while Jack Geddes got going with a couple of boundaries off Nick Walters as they compiled 22 runs from six overs.
But Walters had the last laugh finding the edges of Geddes and Alex Hill in quick succession.
Even after the double blow, DeJong remained busy and regained some ground alongside Willis, but the pair were stopped in their tracks by 11 straight dot balls and the increased pressure produced the ended the opener on 26.
Willis continued to collect runs with Sam Coxon by his side and pushed the total to the relatively comfortable position of 3/96.
Coxon played the anchor role and struggled to break free from Mitch Little’s leg breaks which proved his downfall.
Willis climbed his way to 44 off 66 balls and looked set for a big score, but he was forced to depart the crease thanks to a one-handed screamer at slip from Walters.
The stunner opened a door for Mil Lel and the home side took the opportunity with open arms.
Of the final six batters to pad up, only Kyal Chapman could reach double figures, while Bray Stephenson had the fight of his life facing 29 balls only to be bowled by Miller for a duck.
It summed up the Roos’ stumbling finish as the last seven wickets fell steadily to finish up at 137 after 47 overs.
Walters and Little led the attack taking three wickets each, while Miller and Logan Gibbs also struck in a tight bowling effort.
Due to the COVID-enforced absence of Will Rowland, Todd Carpenter stepped up and did not look out of place at the top of the order.
Even after Craig Lock (19) and Walters (1) fell in back-to-back overs, Carpenter powered on alongside Josh Smith.
The pair may had lived a charmed life surviving a number of chances, but managed to give Mil Lel the high ground towards the end of the day.
However the momentum dramatically swung the Roos’ way in the final six overs.
West’s comeback started when Smith flicked a Chapman delivery straight into the lap of Miles at square leg for 10.
Carpenter stayed firm for five more overs and appeared to be getting himself set for stumps after compiling a well-made 30.
But the quick reactions of Miles once again sparked a mix up and the opener was begrudgingly forced to go after being run out by Willis at the bowler’s end.
Willis had one last trick up his sleeve for the final over of the day and his right-arm pace proved too much for Daniel Justin, who was bowled shouldering arms, while Gibbs was trapped lbw next ball.
On a hat-trick Willis steamed in and found the inside edge of Miller, only for the ball the shave past the stumps.
The Mil Lel skipper eventually survived until the end of play to keep both teams in the game at the halfway mark.
