The final round Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association clash between West Gambier and North Sportsman’s is delicately poised after a bowlers’ day at Malseed Park. After 14 wickets fell across 76 overs, the Tigers’ middle order has a steep task ahead of them requiring 99 runs for victory.
Life was challenging for the batsmen from the outset as Roos’ openers Jack Geddes and Kale Wrightson struggled against the metronomic areas of Declan Kenny and Tim Young. The pressure proved too much for Wrightson when he was run out for three off 51 balls, while Geddes was clean bowled by Young for 19.
The first boundary did not arrive until the 25th over, but the scoring rate eventually improved as Connor Prior (26), Jake Blackwell (18) and Richard Crute (27) fought hard. The trio pushed West to the solid position of 3/79, but the return of Kenny and Young turned the tide in the visitors’ favour again.
North’s new-ball pair took seven wickets between them and limited West to 126 after the home side lost its last eight men for just 57 runs. However, the Roos were not going to be taken lying down and landed some huge blows before stumps.
Playing his first game since round 2, Josh Cornolo showed no signs of rust and claimed two wickets, while Sam Willis also took the big scalps of Jake Schutz and Brad Stafford. With the Tigers battling at 4/27, West hopes to recreate the former’s nightmare of 42 on a tense final day.
