SIX double-figure scores put Penola in a solid position after day one of its Round 9 Barber Shield cricket clash at McCorquindale Park against East Gambier.
The Eagles started slowly with the bat, but picked up in the middle-order to post 188 runs.
East’s Simon Golebiowski was ruthless early, claiming two wickets in the opening 10 overs of the match.
He sent both skipper Jase Bateman and Jack Mullan back to the sidelines for four runs apiece.
Penola was 2/11 and the need to steady the ship was evident.
David Somerfield and Jack Schulz did just that.
The two worked their way to a team total of 59 before Schulz was judged lbw off a Nathan Gore delivery for 26.
Somerfield’s time at the crease was also cut short by Gore, making just 20 runs.
Penola looked vulnerable with the scoreboard reading 4/64 as the day’s half-way mark fast approached.
Lewis March and George Kidman generated some hope for the hosts.
The duo ran hard between the wickets, while Kidman found gaps in the field to add a few boundaries to the tally.
A partnership of 46 swung the confidence back to the Eagles’ camp.
However, East’s Thomas Miles soon swung the momentum back to the Bulldogs.
March was caught for 15 and Kidman was not far behind.
Peter Kerr claimed the catch off Alex Hentschke and Kidman was given out on 36.
An lbw call for Mark Smith on seven a short time later had Penola 7/122 and a big effort from the bottom order was needed.
Luckily for the Eagles, Curt Evans found momentum early and kept his team afloat.
He partnered with Michael Waters who kept his wicket for seven overs, rotating the strike in hope Evans would continue to tick the run-rate over.
However, a quick delivery from Hentschke caught Waters off guard and the batsman was judged lbw for eight runs.
Gore then sent Brad Maney back to the sidelines with a duck and Penola was 9/149.
Conrad Slabber joined Evans at the crease at the two handled the pressure well early.
The two played safe shots with the hope of keeping their wickets until the 80th over.
However, 10 overs into their partnership Slabber made the costly mistake and was caught off a Luke Allen delivery and Penola’s time at the crease was over.
Slabber contributed with 14 runs before the umpire’s finger raised, while Evans managed an unbeaten 43 to keep his side in the game.
The Eagles were all out by the 67th over for 188 runs and had a tough task ahead in the field.
East padded up to bat out its opening 10 overs.
Penola was ruthless with the ball early and held the Bulldogs to 1/12.
