Penola’s run of wins has come to an end after a resolute West Gambier outfit stood in its way in the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association’s Mental Health round on Saturday.
The Eagles entered the top-of-the-table clash flying on top of the ladder after three wins on the bounce, but a hat-trick of a different kind reversed the fortunes.
Penola was forced to take on a hungry Roos’ outfit without its big three Mark Smith, Jack Mullan or Michael Waters and needed some new faces to stand up.
However, some of their fellow experienced heads rose to the occasion and ensured the One-Day game at Malseed Park remained a captivating contest.
Despite losing the toss and being asked to field, the Eagles were on top early after Waters’ new-ball partner Lachlan Jones left his mark.
Jones only needed three balls to make an impact when he removed big-game batter Jake Blackwell for a duck.
Alex Hill arrived at the crease, but his initial stay did not last long after he was forced to retire hurt following a similar experience to what England captain Joe Root has endured numerous times during the recent Ashes series.
The early loss of the opener could have sent shockwaves through the West dressing room, but Justin De Jong and Sam Willis calmed down the nerves to ensure an English batting collapse did not follow.
The duo took on the bowling with De Jong scoring a succession of boundaries off Brad Maney and Willis also taking a liking to what was dished up.
Their exploits gave the Roos the flying start of 50 runs on the board before the 10th over.
A big score was on the cards until the tables turned when their fun was finished by Conrad Slabber.
The medium pacer bowled DeJong for 32 before catching out Willis for 15 and the two quick wickets forced the naturally aggressive Sam Coxen and Richard Crute to play within themselves and reconsolidate the innings.
The pair pushed West towards triple figures until the off breaks of veteran tweaker George Kidman (pictured) spun the game in Penola’s direction.
During an entreating passage Coxen, Crute and Kyal Chapman were all caught before Kidman used his guile to chip away at the tail.
Hill returned to the crease, but found scoring difficult as the Eagles turned the screws, slowing the previously rampant Roos down and not conceding a boundary for the final 14 overs.
The combination of Kidman’s off breaks turning away from the right-hander and the sharp glovework of Jack Schulz proved deadly as the bowler spun his way to 5/12.
Jones returned to clean up the tail and suddenly West was knocked over for 133.
Despite the early loss of Lewis March, the Eagles started the run chase off in positive fashion as the likes of Schulz, Kidman and Bray Stephenson showed their experience.
Schulz (34) built two strong partnerships alongside Kidman (14) and Clayfield (22) to put Penola in a position of power at 2/80.
However, a moment of fielding brilliance changed the complexion of the match.
Schulz looked unbreakable until he spooned a chance towards the direction of mid-off where Oliver Miles flew through the air and took a sharp diving chance.
The spectacular catch exposed Penola’s inexperienced tail and inspired the Roos to launch a late assault for victory with devastating effect.
The fielders closed in as pacemen Willis, Bray Stephenson, Crute and DeJong hit their marks to tear through the visitors.
The Eagles fell apart losing 8/28 and give up the premiership points in dramatic style.
West captain Crute said it was a result of relentless pressure.
“I was very satisfied to get the win over Penola with a few players out from both sides, but they still had some very handy players.
“At 2/75 they would have been pretty confident, but we just wanted to keep building pressure and things eventually turned our way.
“We started taking the half chances and just rode our luck home.”
