The 2021-22 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association is officially under way after the Under 12’s padded up for the opening round on Friday.
Despite the excitement of witnessing the first ball of the summer, there was a somber atmosphere with players wearing black arm bands and holding a minute’s silence to celebrate the life of one of the most active members of the sporting community, Heath Case.
Cricket was particularly big part of Case’s life with the stalwart being a junior coordinator, coach, player and supporter and many were touched by his support on and off the field through the years.
After the special tribute, the battle for the Sims Shield started with T20 games at Mount Burr, Penola, McLaughlin Park, Blue Lake Sports Park, Reidy Park and Mil Lel.
The biggest surprise was sparked by North Sportsman’s which knocked over reigning premiers Mil Lel in convincing style.
Batting first on home turf, Mil Lel struggled to break free for the Tigers’ bowling unit and close-in fielders.
Opener Tayte Virtanen looked solid at the crease compiling a handy 19, but he received little support from his partners with the next highest score eight from Tyler Cox.
Boosted by 30 extras, Mil Lel posted 8/63 from its 20 overs.
Buoyed by a strong bowling effort, North got stuck into the run chase and most importantly kept top-order wickets in hand.
Harvey Virtanen’s destructive three-over spell of 2/5 produced a brief scare, but it could not stop the Tigers from cruising past the total and finishing its 20 overs as victors with 4/78 posted on the scoreboard.
Penola made a statement by cleaning up Glencoe with the ball in hand.
The Eagles were deadly in home conditions to skittle the visitors for 42 within 16 overs with Preston Lydeamore doing the damage picking up four wickets from his two overs.
Despite the loss of a couple early wickets taken by Taya Bellinger, Penola always looked on course to chase the small target down.
William Harris led the way with an unbeaten 13 as the home side scored 64 runs for the loss of four wickets through its 20 overs.
Searching for revenge from last summer’s grand final defeat, Millicent made a statement with a huge 104-run win over Gambier Centrals at McLaughlin Park.
Ryder Lindner and Ari Robbins were prolific with the bat scoring 48 runs collectively, as the Lions toiled all day whilst the hosts piled on 1/141.
The visitors’ assault of the massive target never got going and they were restricted to 8/37.
Robbins, Cruz Gibson and Raff Lawlor all picked up multiple wickets.
Scores for the South Gambier White v West Gambier, South Gambier Maroon v East Gambier and Mount Burr v Kongorong games were not available at the time of print.
The Under 14’s Hall Trophy was supposed to begin on Saturday morning, but was washed out without a ball being bowled.
After South Gambier withdrew its participation from the Hall Trophy the fixture will be adjusted before play begins this weekend.
The top junior grade – Under 17’s – also begins with the opening night of a two-day affair this Friday.
