South Gambier 243 d Mil Lel 231
MIL LEL fell an agonising 12 runs short of a Barber Shield semi-final appearance after going down to a determined South Gambier outfit at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday.
A six-wicket haul from Dylan Clough saved the day for the Demons.
South posted an impressive 243 in day one and entered the clash with confidence, needing a victory to claim a final’s spot.
However, with the berth semi-final on the line, Mil Lel had no intentions on letting the game slip.
A 41-run partnership between Justin Lamont and Todd Carpenter over 17 overs put the visitors in good stride for the remainder of the game.
Carpenter was first to leave the crease on 25, which opened up an opportunity for Josh Jantosh.
Jantosh rotated the strike and played safe shots in the hope to maintain his wicket.
However, Clough soon cut his time at the crease short.
Jantosh contributed just seven runs before the umpire raised his finger.
His wicket was closely followed by Lamont’s (41) and Johnathan Allcock’s (seven).
Mil Lel was 4/100 and the game looked as though it could go either way.
Daniel Justin padded up in the hope to save the day.
He worked hard from the outset and ran hard between the wickets, but found it difficult to find a supportive team mate.
South’s tight bowling was too much for the batsmen down the order.
Carey Megaw (4), Craig Lock (11), Tom Nieuwerkerk (2) and Jack Miller (4) all left the crease for minor scores.
Justin was still holding strong when Dylan Pfitzner joined him.
The two increased Mil Lel’s total score to 175 before Pfitzner was caught Nick Seager, bowled Clough for 21.
It all came down to Justin and Ben Thiel.
The duo worked hard to increase the run rate, while playing a defensive game and maintaining their wickets.
However, in the 74th over Robbie Drenthen clean bowled Thiel and Mil Lel’s hopes of a finals berth were over.
Thiel made 14 runs, while Justin was left wondering what could have been on an unbeaten 72.
Mil Lel finished 12 runs short on 231.
South’s Clough was best with the ball, claiming 6/59 off 24 overs, while Camron Jorgenson and Drenthen also contributed with two apiece.
The Demons will now prepare for their semi-final clash with reigning champions North Sportsman’s this weekend.
In the remaining game, East Gambier missed the chance to claim the big scalp of North after day two was called off due to a wet wicket.
East was in the box seat to claim the victory after bowling North out for just 130 runs on day one.
However. Mother Nature played her hand and there was no happy ending for the Bulldogs.
