Penola is on track to take its first win of the season after the first day against South Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday.
Lewis March and Jack Mullan opened in style for Penola as the pair piled on the runs for a 100 run opening stand.
Mullan passed 50 in terrific style as March played a good supporting role.
It was not until the 32nd over that South Gambier finally got its first breakthrough of the day with March caught by Stephen Easterbrook running back with the flight, with Kobi Maxwell picking up his first wicket.
After a massive opening stand March’s wicket was quickly followed by Mullan’s, who was stumped four balls later off the bowling of Jed
Sims.
March was out for 39 from 91, while Mullan’s excellent innings was 74 off just 104 balls which included 12 boundaries.
Michael Waters and Drew Clayfield built a partnership back up after two quick wickets for Penola.
Waters got to 32 off 52 balls including four 4s and a six when he was caught off the bowling of Easterbrook.
Easterbrook picked up a quick wicket after with Jack Schulz picking up a four ball duck.
Robert Drenthen claimed his first wicket of the match, bowling Drew Clayfield through the gate for 36 off 46 including six 4s.
The wickets were starting to come for South Gambier with Easterbrook taking a third, claiming Jacob Robbie for one.
The tail started to provide some much needed runs for Penola, Finley Maccoll became Easterbrook’s fourth wicket of the day, bowled for 16.
Joshua Doyle got himself to 21 before he became Easterbrook’s fifth wicket of the day, as Easterbrook wrapped up an excellent fivefer.
Adam Vause took the wicket of Mathew Honner with Honner caught LBW on 23.
Ned Skeer was left not out for 10 when Gerard Merrett was caught for an 11 ball duck, ending Penola’s innings.
Penola scored big with 260 runs on day one, South Gambier faced out five overs while losing a wicket early.
James Miller was caught LBW by Merrett on five, as South Gambier finished 1/7.
Adam Kuhl and Elwood Geary finished not out on zero and will resume at the crease on day two with a big run chase ahead of South Gambier.
