WEST Gambier sits in the box seat for an outright victory in its Round 5 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield clash with East Gambier after claiming all 10 wickets in just 34.2 overs at Scott Park on Saturday.
In a disappointing display which sees East still searching for its first victory in the 2017-18 competition, it made just 46 runs for the day.
To make matters worse just one batsmen reached double figures – Simon Golebiowski.
He reached 11 not out.
The Bulldogs started badly with the first wicket falling with just one run on the board.
Darren Whitehorn was first to leave the crease for a duck, while fellow opener Tom O’Connor followed shortly after on five runs.
West’ Richard Crute was a big influence with the ball, claiming the opening two wickets – with the help of his team mates in the field – and his dominance did not stop there.
Crute took his third wicket in as many overs, this time at the expense of Alex Hentschke who finished on four runs.
East skipper Dion Stratford padded up in hope to steady the ship, but the Roos’ had other ideas.
He and Peter Kerr batted out six overs together, adding eight runs as a partnership before the latter was sent walking.
Kerr was caught by Sam Willis off a Crute delivery for just five runs.
Nick Laube then entered the clash to test his luck and despite lasting 11 overs he made just four runs before he was caught by Willis and bowled by Crute.
East was in a less than ideal position, with five wickets down and just 24 runs on the scoreboard.
And matters only got worse.
Incoming batsman Golebiowski and Stratford played safe shots in hope to maintain their wickets.
However, Ben Hentschke’s on-target bowling soon dismissed the skipper for just seven runs.
The Bulldogs were struggling to make runs and Golebiowski attempted to bat out the overs, but could not find another batsman to work with.
Connor Little (4), Nathan Gore (3), Luke Allen (0) and Thomas Miles (1) were all out within six overs and as a result Golebiowski was left wondering what could have been on 11 not out.
Crute was a standout for West with the ball with figures of 4/14 off 12 overs, while Ben Hentschke was next best with an impressive 3/12 off five overs.
As a result of West’s dominance, East made just 46 runs from a disappointing 34.2 overs and as a result took to the field in hope to minimise the damage.
However, the Roos had other ideas.
Despite a duck to Bowen Hosking in the opening over, the West still had confidence it would get the job done.
Jake Backwell joined Tye McManus at the crease and the two went to work.
The duo put together a partnership of 19, before Blackwell was bowled by Golebiowski on six.
Crute padded up after an impressive stint with the ball and added some quick runs, reaching the boundary on one occasion.
He was at the crease for seven overs and made 11 runs before Golebiowski also claimed his wicket.
West was 3/33 and close to East’s total with just 16 overs of play.
Ben Hentschke then joined McManus and put together some quick singles in order to get the latter at the striking end.
The two reached the Bulldog’s score of 46 before Hentschke was caught by Little and bowled by his brother Alex on four runs.
Willis joined McManus for the remainder of the day and added a 29-run partnership.
Both Alex Hentschke and Golebiowski managed two scalps apiece but could not claim McManus who finished on 39 not out, while Willis was also unbeaten on 10.
West sits on 4/75 and will aim for an outright victory in Day 2 this weekend.
