West Gambier 146 d/w Penola 6/146
MALSEED Park was the venue for entertainment last Friday with neither West Gambier or Penola able to edge out their opposition in Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association’s Twenty20 Cup competition and as a result the match ended in a 146-all draw.
Spectators were on the edge of their seats in the final over of the match where the Eagles had the chance to take the honours.
However, West bowler Sam Willis was able to hold his nerve and delivered accurately with the ball to prevent Penola from finding the winning run.
The Roos’ had the upper-hand at the start of the game with skipper Niall Easterbrook winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The captain opened with youngster Bowen Hosking and hoped to find the boundary early.
Easterbrook hit the ball for six, but his time at the crease was short-lived with Josh Doyle clean bowling the skipper shortly after.
Hosking took a more patient approach and anchored the West team.
Blackwell joined the opener at the crease and the two went to work, finding the boundary on the occasion, but also running hard between the wickets.
Just 15 runs was the total when Blackwell padded up, but the duo put together a partnership of 68 before he was caught by Shaun Bellinger off James Foggo for 27.
Ben Hentschke entered the game, but just eight runs later Hosking (50) was dismissed after reaching his half century.
It was up to Hentschke to steady the ship with Sam Willis as his support.
However, Foggo also claimed Willis’ wicket before he could have an impact – making just one run – but West looked solid with a score of 4/94 and nine overs remaining.
However, the wickets continued to fall and on seven runs Hentschke became a victim of Michael Waters.
Jack Gosling and Justin DeJong aimed for a solid partnership, but the latter could only manage six runs before Doyle claimed his wicket.
Sam Coxon lasted two overs at the crease with Gosling before Doyle sent him back to the sidelines for a duck.
Just two runs later Gosling was dismissed for 15, followed by Lachlan Brown (1) and West had just three overs remaining to increase the run-rate.
The Roos had one wicket left in hand and it was up to Jack Geddes and Nick Bone to go to work.
The two added a quick 25 runs before Geddes was out, caught Jack Schulz, bowled Brodie Foster on 10.
Bone finished up on 11 not out.
West reached a defendable total of 146, but faced a tough afternoon ahead in the field against a confident Penola outfit.
The Eagles’ Foster was best with the ball claiming 3/11 off just two overs, while Doyle and Foggo also managed three wickets each.
The Roos hoped to replicate such dominance in the field with Sam Willis and Jack Gosling opening the bowling.
However, Penola raced off the start to add 33 runs before the first wicket fell.
Mark Smith contributed a quick-fire 24 runs in the first three overs and found the boundary on a few occasions before his wicket was claimed by Hentschke.
Fellow opener Schulz played a patient role in attempt to remain at the crease, but he was given out lbw off a Hentschke ball for just nine runs.
Doyle and Michael Waters suited up for their time at the crease and produced a partnership that gave Penola hope, finding the boundary with ease and running hard between the stumps.
A total of 30 runs were made in just three overs before Doyle was caught by Willis off Easterbrook for 37.
With 69 runs to win, seven wickets in hand and 10 overs remaining, Penola was in prime position to take the honours.
Bellinger joined Waters at the crease and worked with the latter to ensure he was at the strikers end when possible.
Bellinger’s wicket fell in the 15th over, clean bowled by Easterbook for eight and the pressure began to rise.
Foster entered the game and worked hard to put Waters at the striker’s end.
However, Easterbrook ran him out in the 19th over for four runs.
The Eagles remained in the box seat at 5/138, with nine runs required off less than two overs.
Waters hit a single, a four and another single, then Jacob Pfitzner managed a two and the scores were tied.
With just three balls remaining, Willis had West’s fate on his shoulders, while Pfitzner had the opportunity to shine.
However, it was Willis who came off best with two dot balls before claiming Pfitzner’s wicket on the his final delivery.
Waters finished the day with a credible 53 not out to continue his strong form with his new club this season.
As a result the game was a draw, Penola finishing with 6/146 off the 20 overs.
Best with the ball for West was Hentschke with 2/21, while Easterbrook also managed two wickets and a run out.
But Willis’ composure in the do-or-die moments of the game was a standout.
