IT has been a case of ups and downs for the South East, which has both won and lost a game in the South Australian Senior Country Cricket Cup in Adelaide so far this week.
The South East struggled in its opening game against Fleurieu and Districts, but bounced back against Eyre Peninsula on the back of a big century to Matthew McInerney and a half-century to Robbie Drenthen.
The opening game was a disappointing start to the competition and could cost the South East a chance at the final.
A score of 142 from 37 overs was all the side could manage against a charging Fleurieu and Districts.
Skipper Jake Schutz topped the scoring with 37 runs, while George Kidman (27) and Drenthen (26) were the only other two batsmen to reach double figures.
A strong afternoon in the field was needed, but the wickets were few and far between until the middle order.
The South East was able to apply pressure with the ball and bring the game down to the wire.
The overs were winding down, but Fleurieu and Districts managed to surpass the winning total with six to spare.
Kidman was best with the ball, claiming 3/15 off seven overs, while Luke Wiese also managed three scalps and Dylan Clough finished with two.
While disappointed about the first-game loss, the South East was able to bounce back with an impressive 84-run victory over Eyre Peninsula.
A 177-run partnership between McInerney (129) and Schutz (45) put the South East on the front foot early.
Dylan Clough contributed with a 36 off 41 balls, while Drenthen found the boundary on multiple occasions and finished with 70 from 34, which had the South East on an impressive score 325.
Nick McInerney batted the remaining overs with Josh Jantosh and Michael Waters for an unbeaten 24 from 33 balls to finish on 8/335.
Confident with the score posted, the South East put in a solid effort with the ball to place the game beyond doubt.
The South East had its opponent all out by the 46th over, wellshort of the target on 251 runs.
Nick McInerney was best with the ball, managing an impressive 3/25 off seven overs, while Drenthen and Matthew McInerney claimed two wickets apiece.
At the time of going to print the South East was battling with Yorke Peninsula.
