THE home-ground advantage was not enough for South Gambier when it faced West Gambier in Round 1 of Barber Shield cricket on Saturday.
Played at Blue Lake Sports Park, the Demons won the toss and batted first, where they struggled with the intensity of the Roos’ bowling.
South finished with a total of 80 runs from 35 overs, before West came in to bat and reached a credible 164 to take home the honours for the one-day clash.
Jacob Parham and Camron Jorgenson opened for the hosts and recorded 14 runs between them before the latter was caught behind by wicket keeper Jake Blackwell.
Luke Zadow stepped up to the crease and the total reached 33 before Parham was also caught by Blackwell.
Parham top scored for the Demons with a total of 20 runs, then soon after West co-captain Niall Easterbrook bowled Daniel Loupos for no score.
Zadow – one of only three South batsmen to reach double figures – was clean bowled by Ben Hentschke and the Demons were on the ropes.
At 4/43 Dane Pople and Robbie Drenthen looked to settle the innings, but the partnership was short and Drenthen had just four runs to his name when he was bowled by Easterbrook.
Pople was next on the chopping block and was caught with just two runs to his name, while David Vine was caught by young gun Josh Cornolo before he could score.
Josh Thompson and Adam Kuhl fared better and the total reached 70 before Thompson was bowled by Sam Willis for 17.
Kuhl finished with six-not-out, while the final batsman was Brodie Glynn, who managed five runs before he was bowled by Hentschke.
Eatserbrook led the way with ball in hand, with four scalps, while Hentschke was close behind with three.
Richard Crute and Willis claimed one each.
The target was an easily-achievable 80 runs when the Roos took to the crease and they were well on their way after the opening partnership of Easterbrook and Bray Stehpenson made 23, before the co-captain was bowled by Jorgenson for 16.
Stephenson was joined by Cornolo, before the former was bowled by Jorgenson for 14 runs, with the team total at 37.
Cornolo was then joined by Willis and the partnership flourished, adding a further 25 runs to the total before Jorgenson caught Cornolo off a Zadow ball, with the youngster scoring 11.
The game was won when Jack Geddes stepped up to the crease.
He finished with a half century – 51 runs – to see the total at 112 before he was dismissed.
South picked up its pace from there, with Dylan Walsh run out for six and then Willis caught for 18.
The total was at 6/131 upon Willis’ dismissal and the Demons worked hard to limit the damage.
An lbw saw Nick Bone left scoreless, while Curtis King was also caught with no runs to his name.
Blackwell managed 19-not-out, while Hentschke scored just two runs before he was bowled by Dylan Clough.
The total of 164 was more than enough to take the win and West will carry confidence into its Round 2 meeting with reigning premier Penola.
For South bowlers, Vine, Loupos and Jorgenson each claimed two wickets, while Clough and Zadow both finished with one.
The Demons will hope to redeem themselves when they face Mil Lel at home this week.
