Penola is once again staring down its first win of the season after day one of its round five Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield match against Mil Lel.
Mil Lel won the toss and elected to send Penola in to bat at Frew Park, and the decision paid off early for Mil Lel.
Craig Hicks caused the Penola top order numerous problems with the ball, Hicks claimed the scalp of Lewis March for seven, Michael Waters for 0 and Daimen Wenham for eight.
Captain Jack Miller then added another wicket to the tally as he caught the edge of Eli Hunter for one.
As the wickets continued to fall Jack Mullan remained strong, proving resistant to the Mil Lel bowling attack.
Mullan lost another partner to Hicks as he bowled Nathan Fulton for six.
Mullan passed the half century mark but was bowled by Miller not long after for 58.
Mullan’s terrific innings provided much needed runs and stability in the Penola top order as wickets fell around him.
The over after Mullan’s dismissal Hicks caught Jake Schulz LBW for three, the wicket of Schulz confirmed Hicks’ aimpressive fifer which was crucial in having Penola in a vulnerable position.
Curt Evans and Ned Skeer offered some hope for Penola as the pair began to score quite freely and found the boundary frequently.
But as the pair started to get going Miller delivered his side a crucial breakthrough with Skeer out for 10.
The tail wag continued from Penola as the lower order provided much needed runs.
Joshua Doyle and Tyler Jones both played important innings at 10 and 11.
Doyle in particular caused the Mil Lel bowlers several problems as he scored quickly, adding crucial runs to the Eagles’ total.
Miller secured a five-fer with the wicket of Jones on 19 from 25 balls, which ended Penola’s innings after 48 overs at 10/186.
Doyle was exceptional from 10 with 43 off 35 balls which included four fours and four sixes.
Mil Lel had 28 overs to bat out the rest of the day and hopefully take a big chunk out of Penola’s total, however the visitors proved dangerous with ball in hand.
Jarrod Sanders and Darren Whitehorn got Mil Lel off to a steady start before Sanders was caught in the ninth over.
Penola piled on the pressure with dot balls, the build up resulting in Whitehorn being dismissed for 13.
Michael Waters picked up a second and third wicket, and Mil Lel found itself in a bit of trouble early as another wicket had the side sink to 5/46.
Craig Hicks and William Rowland looked to play out the rest of the day to see the side through to day 2, however Penola refused to back down with Hicks becoming Kurt Evans’ second wicket of the day.
Rowland batted out the rest of the day with Archer Virtanen with the pair unbeaten at the crease and their side in trouble at 6/66 chasing 186.
Next week Mil Lel will require a big partnership from the pair as the side attempts to bat its way back into the match.
Penola will feel confident it can get the job done but will be aware that it still needs to bring its best next weekend as it attempts to get a win on the board.
