North Gambier 3/255 d Mil Lel 99
THE partnership of Matthew McInerney and Jake Schutz put North Sportsmen’s clash with Mil Lel in Round 1 of Mount Gambier and District cricket at Marist Park beyond doubt.
McInerney put together a solid performance and made his way to 132 runs, which included an impressive 15 fours and five sixes.
On the other hand, Schutz chipped in with a credible 48 runs, just short of a half century.
The two remained at the crease for much of the 40 overs.
After reaching a partnership of 197, McInerney was first to return to the sidelines after he was bowled by Justin Lock and caught by Justin Lamont.
Nick McInerney and Schutz managed to cross the 200-run mark, but shortly after the latter was sent walking off the back off a Ben Thiel ball, caught by youngster Carey Megaw.
As a result Brad Robinson entered the contest.
He and McInerney increased the team’s total to 229 before McInerney was dismissed on 21 off a Caleb Bachmann ball caught by Lock.
Michael Silvy and Robinson batted out the remaining overs.
The veteran making a quick 26 not out, while youngster Robinson reached seven not out by the end end of the 40th over.
Best with the ball for Mil Lel was Thiel with 1/34, while Bachmann and Lock also managed a wicket each.
North sat comfortably on 3/255 and went in to the field with confidence it would get the job done.
However, it was not all smooth sailing.
Mil Lel had a satisfactory start to its batting innings and reached 34 runs before the first wicket fell.
Justin Lamont and Josh Jantosh opened and Jantosh made his way to 14, while Lamont reached 18 before the McInerney brothers – Matthew and Nick – claimed their wickets.
Todd Carpenter was dismissed shortly after on a solitary run and Mil Lel looked as though it was in trouble.
Jarryd Burston and Daniel Justin did all they could to save the day, but Nick McInerney soon sent the latter walking for 15 after he was caught behind by wicket keeper Tom Edwards.
Jack Miller padded up, but could only reach 10 before Declan Kenny clean bowled the youngster.
Mil Lel sat on 5/75 and the likelihood of claiming the overall points looked slim.
Burston’s wicket was claimed shortly after by North recruit Josh Fidler and with just 10 overs remaining, Mil Lel was in trouble.
North’s accurate bowling and fielding pressure was getting to Mil Lel and the wickets began to fall.
Kenny clean bowled Bachmann (2), Nieuwerkerk (0) and Thiel (0), while Matthew McInerney claimed the final wicket of the day, Megaw who managed nine runs.
In the end Mil Lel had a team total of 99 and reached the 37th over before it was bowled out.
It was a solid team performance in the field by North, which put the result beyond doubt, but best with the ball went to Kenny who managed 4/8 off seven overs.
Nick McInerney chipped in with three, while Matthew McInerney claimed two and Fidler one.
North will now turn its concentration to yet another one day clash, this time with East Gambier, while Mil Lel will go back to the drawing board when facing a tough West Gambier outfit.
