East Gambier 9/145 d West Gambier 134
WEST Gambier has opened up an opportunity for Penola to climb the ladder into a double-chance position after going down by 11 runs to the previously winless East Gambier outfit at Malseed Park in Round 8 of Mount Gambier and District Barber Shield cricket.
It was a tough day out for the Roos, who came off an impressive victory over current competition front-runners North Sportsman’s the week before, but East was defiant in the upset of the round, much of that success due to a timely half-century from captain Dion Stratford.
West won the toss and elected to field first in the hope to remove East from the crease early.
However, not all went to plan.
The Roos started off dominant with the ball as Sam Willis and Richard Crute claimed the wickets of Darren Whitehorn (0) and Tom O’Connor (13) early.
East was 2/27 before it knew it, which put the pressure on Stratford to take control.
While his team mates fell around him, Stratford played safe shots, but on the right delivery found the boundary to slowly increase the run-rate.
However, he had little support.
Emerson Marks was clean bowled by Lachlan Brown for a duck, while Alex Hentschke offered little more, also falling to a Brown delivery for just four runs.
The trend continued as Connor Little reached a personal total of two before West skipper Niall Easterbrook sent him walking.
East was 5/58 and the likelihood of a defendable score looked slim.
Simon Golebiowski padded up to join his captain at the crease and while he contributed little to the score, he was able to rotate the strike and provide a strong support for Stratford.
The duo put together a partnership of 41 before Golebiowski was run out on eight.
The dismissal gave Nathan Gore a chance with the bat and he too played a supportive role for Stratford.
East’s total increased to 128 before a catch behind the stumps by Jake Blackwell of a Bowen Hosking delivery finally sent the Bulldogs’ skipper back to the sidelines.
Stratford contributed a credible 78 runs, which arguably handed East the victory.
Gore was dismissed shortly after for eight runs, which gave Luke Allen an opportunity at the crease.
Allen’s contribution was minimal, making four runs before he was too sent back to the bench.
Michael Little and Thomas Miles batted out the remaining overs – Little finishing on an unbeaten 11 and Miles without a run.
West’s Brown was best with the ball, taking 2/14 off just six overs, while Willis and Hosking also contributed with two wickets apiece.
East finished with 9/145 and understood it would have a difficult time holding one of the competition’s stronger sides at bay with the bat.
The Roos had a strong start and were just 2/91, 21 overs into their innings.
Easterbrook reached 15 before he was dismissed, while Blackwell had contributed 38.
West was on track to another victory, but from there a batting collapse changed the game.
Hosking held his wicket and played the anchor role, but those around him struggled to have an impact.
Justin Dejong left the crease with one run to his name, while Sam Willis was out for a duck.
Richard Crute gave West some hope – putting together 15 runs – but after Hosking was dismissed for 34 the Roos went downhill.
West was 6/118 with 11 overs remaining and needed a batsmen in the bottom order to stand up.
However, it was a less than satisfying performance from the Roos, with Jack Gosling (8), Tye McManus (3), Jack Geddes (2) and Sam Coxon (0) all failing to reach double figures.
West was all out in the 36th over for a dismal 134 runs.
A five-wicket haul from Marks was a big contributor to East’s eventual win.
He managed an impressive 5/24 from his seven overs and was well backed by Hentschke and O’Connor, who both managed two scalps apiece.
