West Gambier v North Sportsman’s
North Sportsman’s clinched an impressive victory over West Gambier during Barber Shield round two action at Malseed Park.
The day commenced with the toss going West Gambier’s way and choosing to take the crease first.
It was a decision which they would come to regret as the top order struggled against a strong North bowling attack.
Isaac Mulraney picked up an early wicket before Declan Kenny took three quick wickets of Jayden Prior, Sujith Nikethana and Nuwan Gunawardana.
The Roos were in trouble at 4/34 and needed a big partnership in the middle to stabilise.
West Gambier captain Bray Stephenson stood up and emerged as a standout performer with a knock of 44 runs.
Stephenson and Samuel Coxon developed a good partnership before Coxon was bowled by Josh Stafford.
From there the wickets came at a consistent rate for North with the final five batsmen contributing only two runs combined.
West Gambier’s innings concluded at 106 runs after it was bowled all out with 10 balls to spare.
North Sportsman’s Declan Kenny delivered an extraordinary bowling display, taking four crucial wickets, while Isaac Mulraney and Nick McInerney contributed with two wickets each.
With 107 runs needed for victory, North Sportsman’s had to negotiate a few early setbacks, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Both openers Alex Hutton and Brad Robinson were out early giving West hope it could defend the low total.
However, their middle-order batsmen displayed remarkable determination, with Elliot Fisher and Nick McInerney building a massive partnership which West was unable to break through before North had won the match.
It was a stellar performance from Fisher who played a pivotal role by contributing an excellent 53 runs.
McInerney fell just short of his 50 caught by Kyal Chapman on 49, three runs after North had beaten West’s total.
Some handy cameos followed before North’s innings was brought to a close after 40 overs at 7/166.
West Gambier’s batting struggles and the exceptional bowling of Declan Kenny, Isaac Mulraney and Nick McInerney played pivotal roles in restricting them to a modest total of 106 runs.
The partnership between Fisher and McInerney in the middle order was a decisive factor in securing North Sportsman’s victory.
In the end North Sportsman’s emerged as the dominant side, clinching a resounding victory with a 60-run margin, sending a message to the rest of the competition.
It was an excellent bowling and batting performance and the Tigers will hope to take that form into next week in a crucial match against Mil Lel.
West Gambier will hope it can bounce back next round against a struggling South Gambier side.
Penola v Mil Lel
In an action-packed match Mil Lel claimed a well-fought victory over Penola in the second round of the Barber Shield.
Penola hosted the match at McCorquindale Park giving the side the home ground advantage as it searched for its first win of the season.
Mil Lel won the toss and opted to field, a decision that set the tone for a thrilling contest between bat and ball.
Batting first, Penola had to face off against a formidable bowling attack from Mil Lel.
Jack Mullan batted well early but lost his opening partner Michael Waters for six and Tom Clayfield following shortly after for four.
Penola captain Jack Mullan was the top scorer with 24 runs from 34 balls before being dismissed by Toby Grigg.
The middle order showed some fight with Eli Hunter and Nathan Fulton contributing 13 and 16 runs respectively but were unable to maintain a strong partnership.
Matthew Honner’s 23 runs provided a glimmer of hope in the middle order, but the batting line-up could not build substantial partnerships.
Penola lost its final three wickets for just six runs, finishing 10/127 after 40 overs.
Mil Lel’s bowling attack did an excellent job containing Penola’s batting line-up.
Mitchell Little emerged as the star performer with four wickets, giving away 32 runs.
Jack Miller, Toby Grigg, Thomas Smith and Dale Bachmann also picked up crucial wickets to keep the pressure on the Penola team.
With a target of 128 runs for victory, Mil Lel commenced their innings cautiously.
They faced initial setbacks, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Mil Lel started steadily, with Jarrod Sanders contributing 15 runs and Ty Dinnison scoring five before being dismissed.
Three quick wickets then fell with Mitchell Little bowled for a duck and Darcy Williamson bowled for one.
Sanders was then caught on 15 leaving Mil Lel in a troublesome position of 4/41.
This put pressure on the team, but captain Jack Miller played a pivotal role with an excellent captain’s knock of an unbeaten 65 runs from 79 balls.
Miller’s innings included eight boundaries and one six, providing stability and impetus to the innings.
Archer Virtanen played a valuable supportive role to Miller, scoring 30 runs.
Miller and Virtanen built a 75 run partnership getting Mil Lel within 11 runs of Penola’s total when the Eagles finally found the breakthrough wicket of Virtanen.
Harry Hicks also contributed 16 runs as Mil Lel passed Penola’s total to claim its second win of the season.
Penola’s bowlers, led by Michael Waters, were disciplined with Waters taking four wickets for 21 runs.
Gerard Merrett also made a notable contribution with two wickets.
Despite a few wickets falling early, Mil Lel’s middle order, led by Jack Miller, ensured they got the victory in the end.
An excellent all round performance has Mil Lel looking to be a team to watch early in the season after two very good wins.
Penola hosts East Gambier next week with hopes of getting a win on the board.
East Gambier v South Gambier
East Gambier emerged victorious against South Gambier in round two of the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield after an excellent performance with the ball.
East Gambier hosted the Demons at Allan Scott Park for the first meeting between the two sides since last year’s semi final and the reigning premiers once again proved a class above to win their first match of the season.
East Gambier won the toss and chose to field, setting South the task of posting a big score.
South Gambier faced a challenging task against East Gambier’s formidable bowling attack and the innings got off to an excellent start for the visitors with a 50 run opening stand between Stephen Easterbrook and Robert Drenthen.
Easterbrook was the first to go for South caught off the bowling of Connor Little, setting off a disastrous batting collapse with Jed Sims bowled for a duck for Little’s second wicket.
South then lost two more wickets in the space of four runs to have fallen from 0/54 to 4/66.
The fourth wicket was Drenthen on 28 and meant real trouble for South Gambier.
The quick wickets of Dylan Barlow, Ryan Kuhl and Nick Seager meant the Demons needed their tail to wag if they were to set a defendable total.
However, Ben Hentschke cleaned up the tail, delivering a sensational performance taking five wickets for a mere three runs.
South Gambier was all out for 86 and needed to bowl well to have a chance to take the win.
With a target of 87 runs to chase, East Gambier began its innings in disaster.
The Doggies’ openers Aiden Creasey and Ben Robinson were out for two and 0 respectively.
Emerson Marks was also out early and East Gambier found itself in trouble at 3/19.
Though they faced some early hiccups, East’s middle-order batsmen managed to stabilise the situation.
Captain Alex Hentschke led by example, notching up 25 runs, while Dion Stratford played a pivotal role by crafting an unbeaten innings of 44 runs.
A good partnership between Stratford and Little guided East towards South’s total, before Little was dismissed for 12 after tying up the match.
Stratford then passed the total and kept going.
East Gambier successfully reached the target in 40 overs, finishing 8/121.
Ben Hentschke’s remarkable five-wicket haul for just three runs played a significant role in restricting South Gambier to a modest total and Stratford was excellent with the bat.
East Gambier has now gotten a win to its name as it turns its attention to Penola next week who is still searching for its first win.
South Gambier will hope it can change its fortunes in round three when it faces West Gambier.
