Tigers set Demons on fire

INCOMING: Matt McInerney focuses on the incoming ball during his stint at the crease, in a game which saw North Sportsman's dominate South Gambier at Marist Park.
INCOMING: Matt McInerney focuses on the incoming ball during his stint at the crease, in a game which saw North Sportsman’s dominate South Gambier at Marist Park.

IT was a day South Gambier will be eager to forget on Saturday, when the Demons faced an in-form North Sportsman’s at Marist Park for round eight of Barber Shield cricket.

The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat, lasting the full 40 overs to post a solid total of 196.

It was far from North’s best score for the season, but it was more than enough on the day, as South padded up and spent just 19.5 overs at the crease, bowled out for a measly 41 runs.

While the Demons failed to post a double-figure score – aside from the 10 runs awarded from extras – it was a different story for the Tigers.

Michael Johnston and Jake Schutz opened with the bat and kicked off proceedings with an 86-run partnership.

Schutz was then caught with 40 to his name, with Kieran Ashby taking his place, although only for a short while, bowled out for six.

With the total at 100, Matt McInerney padded up and another 25 runs were added to the score before he was dismissed for 15, with brother Nick taking his place.

Nick posted 20 runs before he was deemed lbw and sent back to the bench with the total at 161.

Johnston was next to fall with a game-high 61 runs, after a short partnership with Justin McConnell.

With the bulk of the damage done, Mitchell Lewis stepped up for a seven-run stint, before Kayne Badman took to the crease with McConnell.

The total was at 185 when McConnell was caught out.

Declan Kenny came and went without adding to the score, while Tom Edwards stepped up to see out the remainder of the overs.

An lbw sent Badman back to the bench with 14 runs, with the total at the final 196.

Tim Young padded up, but the 40 overs were completed before he could post a score.

With the ball Daniel Loupos and David Vine managed three wickets each, while Dylan Clough claimed two scalps.

And those numbers were close to their batting figures, with the best scores for the Demons coming from Josh Thompson and Dane Pople, as they each posted a meagre eight runs.

An opening partnership of three runs from Camron Jorgenson (3) and Adam Kuhl (0) set the scene and it was not long before South had crumbled under the Tigers’ bowling pressure.

Nick McInerney rained fire on the opposition batsmen, finishing up with an impressive 5/11 off 3.5 overs.

Kenny and Ashby also fared well with two scalps each, giving away just 13 runs between them.

Although the contest was one sided, North will take confidence from its impressive all-round performance, while the Demons are left with plenty to work on if they are to match up with the top teams this season.