The long-time kings of the Barber Shield North Sportsman’s has suffered a nightmare start to the 2021-22 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association season after two defeats on the bounce.
Initially a Penola road trip proved too tough, while Saturday’s setback was a slip up to South Gambier.
Yet again the Tigers battled to 8/125 from its 40 overs largely thanks to Michael Johnston with a back-to-the-wall 50.
The target was never enough as the Demons crossed the line with five wickets in hand.
A joyful wedding nestled under Marist Park’s signature elm trees provided the perfect backdrop for Cam Jorgensen to claim his first win as captain and he was pleased as punch.
“I was absolutely wrapped considering we went into the game as underdogs,” he said.
“We bowled really well maintain those tight lines because we knew bowling first on the damp pitch would be really handy.
“It is always nerve racking against North and Michael showed why he is tough to get out, but restricting them to 125 gave us a great shot at the win.”
South’s maiden win of the season was sparked by young shooting star Elwood Geary, who got the new Kookaburra singing.
The 14-year-old showed no fear knocking over the Tigers’ top three for a two-ball duck in the first eight overs.
Once the spin of Dan Loupos also joined the party, North was on its knees at 4/27 with big names Nick McInerney and Jake Schultz already in the pavilion.
Johnston used all of his experience to keep the yellow and black alive nudging the ball through the gaps to launch a recovery.
He found an ally in Mitch Lewis and the duo carefully compiled 65 runs for the fifth wicket.
However, the hard-fought stand was all the joy the Tigers tasted as the wickets returned towards the back end of the innings.
Johnston remained a wall to finish with an unbeaten 51 from 119 balls, while James Dunn bagged a couple of late scalps.
Aware of North’s ability to defend low totals, the South batters started its run chase in positive fashion with Loupos leading the charge.
Learning from his mistake the previous week, the dashing opener played a quick, but calculated innings.
He found the boundary rope regularly, while youngster Ryan Kuhl showed off some strong defence at the other end.
The pair gave the Demons a solid start before an Isaac Mulraney double strike threatened to take the visitors off course.
After Loupos’ fun 50 ended with 52 runs still to get, North had a glimmer of hope, but the calm heads of Dunn, Michael Sims and Luke Zadow ensured it was the Demons’ day.
By the time the winning runs were scored, plenty of wedding-goers had packed the long-off boundary to celebrate with South.
“At 14, Elwood stood up to take the pressure off us with an incredible start,” Jorgensen said.
“Dan came out last week with a really aggressive tactic which did not work, so he just waited for the bad ball this time and we could not have done it without them.”
