THERE was no clear favourite after Day 1 of the Round 3 clash in the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield at McCorquindale Park, with both North Sportsmen’s and Penola on shaky ground.
The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat first, but not all went to plan.
North was all out in the 46th over for a disappointing 102 runs.
Just four batsmen reached double figures throughout the day, while three were out for ducks.
Opener Matt McInerney was best with the bat, making a quick 35 runs – which included four fours and a six – while his partner in crime Jake Schutz added 11 to the team total before David Somerfield claimed his wicket.
Curt Evans sent Brad Robinson walking after a short stint at the crease and he returned to the sidelines with a duck.
North was struggling at 3/49 in the 15th over and its likelihood of a comfortable win already slim.
It added just five runs before the next wicket fell.
This time it was Brad’s brother Matthew Robinson.
Evans once again knocked over the woodwork after Robinson had made just a solitary run in his A Grade batting debut.
Nick McInerney was dismissed on the same team total – 54 – caught by Evans off a Somerfield ball for five.
The trend continued and unlike previous years, veteran Michael Silvy was unable to save the day.
Silvy managed a single and a two before he was caught behind by Mark Smith off a Somerfield delivery.
Michael Johnston and Gavin Coon paired up in hope to increase the run rate.
The two crossed the 40-over half-way mark and were looking like a formidable duo.
However, a determined Penola outfit refused to allow an easy run.
Johnston was patient and ran a number of singles to rotate the strike.
Coon was able to boost the total with a few boundaries, but came unstuck in over 43.
Conrad Slabber delivered a quick ball that caught Coon by surprise, heading skyward into the hands of Evans to send the North batter walking for 29 runs.
Josh Fidler padded up for the first time with his new club and it was a day he would rather forget.
He was unable to contribute to the score and returned to the sideline with a duck.
With a score of 8/97, North’s chances of a solid team total looked unlikely.
Johnston was able to keep his wicket, but Kenny (3) and captain Tim Young (0) were dismissed by George Kidman and North was all out on the 46th over for just 102 runs.
Best with the ball for the Eagles was Evans who managed an impressive 3/13 off 10 overs, while Somerfield also contributed with three wickets.
Kidman and Slabber also chipped in with two apiece.
With time still remaining, Penola went to the crease with the hope of an outright victory.
However, North had no intentions on letting the game slip and rallied hard in the field.
It took just four overs for the Tigers to claim their first wicket.
Skipper Jase Bateman was sent from the crease for a disappointing three, run out from an accurate throw from Schutz.
Lewis March was then joined by Somerfield and the two went to work.
Somerfield made a quick six, but his time was cut short when he was caught behind by Matthew McInerney off Fidler.
By over 15, Fidler sent March walking on 12 and North’s confidence lifted.
Just five overs later Nick McInerney cut Kidman’s time at the crease short after he made just one run.
With the game up in the air and the Eagles sitting on 4/36, it was crucial Penola stepped up.
However, the Tigers were biting at the bit to remain in the contest.
Jack Schulz was able to give Penola some confidence at the crease, finding the boundary and running well with Jack Mullan.
However, he soon came unstuck.
Schulz hit his final two balls for four, which added to his eventual total of 21, but Nick McInerney soon sent the batsman back to the bench before his damage became too great.
Mullan (14 not out) and Tom Clayfield (five not out) batted out the remaining overs of the day and Penola reached 5/65.
Both Mullan and Clayfield will take to the crease first on Saturday in the hope to increase their partnership and in turn their team’s total.
Best with the ball for North of Day 1 was Nick McInerney with 2/20 off eight overs, while Fidler also managed two scalps.
With a small team total for the Tigers and a tough day of batting ahead for Penola, this match could come down to the wire.
