WEST 291 d MIL LEL 207
A PAIR of half-centuries to Jack Gosling and Bowen Hosking set West Gambier up for a comfortable first-innings victory over Mil Lel on Saturday.
The second day of round three of the Barber Shield cricket fixture belonged to the Roos, who easily passed the 207 runs set by Mil Lel on day one.
West picked up from its overnight score of 39 runs, powering ahead until just prior to the century opening stand before Connor Prior – standing in for Niall Easterbrook who retired at the end of day one – was bowled by Tom Nieuwerkerk.
Prior managed 12 runs in his own right in an impressive display for the young batsman.
He shared a partnership with Gosling, with the latter batting on to reach 62 when a sharp caught-and-bowled to Taylor ended his day.
By then the score had reached 123 and West was on its way to victory.
Hocking was joined by Jake Blackwell and the pair continued to push the run rate, until the latter was judged lbw off Nieuwerkerk for a handy 26.
Sam Willis joined the run chase with the West total at 173, but had little impact, offering just five runs before he fell to another caught-and-bowled decision, this time to Jack Miller.
Mil Lel continued to apply the pressure, with another quick wicket, with Richard Crute departing just four runs later, caught Josh Jantosh, bowled Miller.
But from a few shaky overs, Ben Hentschke joined Hosking and the pair passed the target and pushed on to 227 before the latter was sent back to the sidelines after a well-constructed 64.
From there it would have been easy for West to drop off the pace in the heat of the day, but the tail continued to wag, with Hentschke’s 12 joined by the same from Tye McManus, then a handy 42 from Sam Coxon.
Nieuwerkerk and Taylor bagged three wickets each for Mil Lel, while Miller chipped in with two.
