A David Somerfield special pushed South Gambier over the line in a competitive Hoggies Wines Barber Shield contest at Marist Park on Saturday.

Mil Lel batted first in the one-day encounter played with the red ball and enjoyed a solid start from openers Joshua Smith and Craig Lock.

The duo collected 22 runs in the first eight overs before a wicket maiden by Jakob Opie finished Lock’s stay.

Luckily for Mil Lel, Smith appeared in more dangerous touch and continued on his way with Jonathan Allcock.

Proceedings took a turn for the worse for the Demons after strike-bowler Robert Drenthen was forced to stop bowling due to injury.

As Mil Lel crept towards 50, Smith and Allcock threatened to push South onto the back foot, but Adam Kuhl rose to the occasion and knocked over the latter for 32 at a critical time.

Kuhl also dismissed Daniel Justin cheaply four overs later and after Nicholas Walters and Carey Megaw were also dismissed for single-figure scores, Mil Lel suddenly found itself in trouble at 5/74.

However, Allcock found a partner in Logan Gibbs and the pair resurrected the innings.

Allcock was the steady accumulator and collected 58 runs from 98 balls, while Gibbs put the foot down.

The number-seven batsman struck three fours and two sixes in a quick-fire 42.

The pair’s unbeaten 87-runs partnership pushed Mil Lel to a defendable total of 5/161.

Kuhl was the only multiple wicket taker with 2/37, while Daniel Loupos and Opie were both economical during their one-wicket spells.

Mil Lel’s opening bowlers continued to ride high on the team’s momentum and were tight with the new ball before dismissing Drenthen in the third over.

But South’s shaky start was no cause for concern as David Somerfield strolled to the crease and was on from ball one.

It did not take long for the right hander to reach the boundary with regularity and not even the loss of Loupos for 13 could slow him down.

David Vine joined Somerfield and with the game in the balance the combination punished Mil Lel with a match-winning partnership.

They scored 99 runs in quick time to put the Demons in the box seat and Somerfield was threatening to reach triple figures.

But he fell for a well-made 82 and two quick wickets kept Mil Lel’s faint hopes alive.

However, Vine remained at the crease and pressed on to push South to Mil Lel’s total.

Although he was stumped for 55 during a mini collapse, the Demons wrapped up the game and scored 7/183 from their 40 overs.

South Gambier captain James Dunn was encouraged by the progression his team has shown.

“It was our most complete performance of the season so far,” he said. “I thought we bowled nice and tight after Rob got injured, so young Jack Domaschenz stepped up.

“We are starting to find some form, so we are primed for the last game before Christmas.”

The white ball and coloured clothing will return this Saturday for the final Barber Shield round before the Christmas break.

South travels to Penola, while Mil Lel hosts ladder-leader East Gambier.