MILLICENT and District Association skipper John Facey was the man of the match in the T20 win over East Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park in Mount Gambier on Friday night.
He thumped 86 not out, took three wickets and conceded just a handful of runs.
It was Facey’s 33rd game for the Millicent Association and he is the most-capped representative as well as its most productive batsman and bowler.
His service to the side was despite the fact that he also lost the toss ahead of the match on the turf wicket.
The East Gambier captain invited the Millicent Association to bat.
The visitors were off to a mixed start with openers Jordan Muhovics (2) and Nick Copping (9) both being dismissed for scores in the single digits.
The Millicent Association innings was righted by Facey and Nathan Muhovics (32) as they took the score from 33 to 100 for the third wicket in the space of only seven overs.
Facey then continued the onslaught with tee Mitch Pulmer (15) and they put on 59 for the fourth wicket.
When Facey left the field unconquered the Millicent Association looked unassailable with a tally of 4/160.
Alex Hentschke was the sole multiple wicket-taker with the scalps of Jordan Muhovics and Pulmer.
His side seldom looked like reaching the target of 161 as it lost its first wicket in the second over with only three runs on the board.
From then on, it was a steady procession of East Gambier batsmen back to the pavilion with SACA Outbacks player Dion Stratford offering the most resistance with 20.
The last East Gambier wicket fell at 69 with barely 12 overs bowled.
The best of the bowlers were Jeremy Hales (3/1), Facey (3/8) and Jason Barnes (2/2).
The Millicent Association is currently undefeated and well placed to advance to the finals.
The T20 competition now takes a break for the festive season and resumes in January.
