North Sportsmen’s 7/130 d West Gambier 88
AN undermanned North Sportsmen’s stamped its authority on the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield competition with a convincing victory over the otherwise undefeated West Gambier side at Malseed Park on Saturday.
Due to the heavy rain the week prior, the Round 4 games were shortened into limited-overs matches on the weekend and the quick style suited the current competition front-runners North in the top-of-the-table clash.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, but not all went to plan.
A solid day at the crease was had by Jake Schutz who finished just short of West’s game total of 88.
Schutz opened the day with Matthew McInerney and carried his bat through the innings, finishing with an unbeaten 86.
It was another story for McInerney who despite having a solid start to the season was dismissed for a duck on Saturday, caught behind off a Sam Willis delivery.
The wickets fell quick early, with Brad Robinson and Brad Close sent walking for just three and four respectively.
It was Matthew Robinson who entered the game and helped steady the ship.
He joined Schutz at the crease and the two increased the run-rate, crossing the half-century mark for their side and instilling some confidence back into the Tigers.
West needed to rally to remain in contention and Robinson was soon dismissed.
He made 18 runs before he was caught by Josh Cornolo off a Ben Hentschke delivery.
North had hoped Nick McInerney would produce some quick runs, but his time at the crease was cut short.
He added just two runs to the tally before he was out – caught Niall Easterbrook, bowled Lachlan Brown.
Josh Fidler gave the Tigers some hope, being the only other batsman to reach double figures.
He hit his way to 10 runs and worked well with Schutz to ensure he was at the striking end for much of the time, contributing to a partnership of 39, which also saw the duo cross the century-mark.
However, as North reached 112, Fidler’s time was up as he was out, caught Easterbook, bowled Bowen Hosking.
With limited overs remaining, Sam Shepherd joined Schutz at the crease, but managed just one run before Willis knocked over the woodwork.
Youngster Elliot Fisher then teamed with the opening batsman and made his way to three not out before the end of North’s batting innings.
In the end the visitors reached a credible 130 runs with three wickets in hand.
Willis was best with the ball for West taking 3/19 off eight overs.
North was eager to defend its total and rallied hard in the opening overs.
The Tigers had three wickets in the first six overs of play, while holding the Roos to just 10 runs and West started to lose confidence.
Hosking and skipper Easterbrook were both dismissed for ducks, while Jack Gosling was able to piece together seven runs before he was sent walking.
Jake Blackwell and Ben Hentschke joined forces to reach a partnership total of 33 before the latter lost his wicket.
Hentschke was caught off-guard by spin bowler Luke Hocking on 21.
Blackwell and Tye McManus put together a credible partnership of 25 before Blackwell was caught Nick McInerney, bowled Close.
With West at 5/68, North began to take control of the game, with the Roos adding just 20 more runs before they were all out.
McManus (20) was the only other batsmen to reach double figures, while it was a day the bottom order would rather forget.
Youngsters Sam Willis (1), Jack Geddes (9), Brown (2), Cornolo (0) and Sam Coxon (1 not out) all managed short times at the crease before North’s strong bowling got the better of them.
Matt McInerney made up for his poor performance with the bat, claiming 3/20 off eight overs, while next best with the ball was skipper Tim Young with 2/13 off seven, with West all out for 88 in the 31st over.
