Eagles soar above Bulldogs

STORY CENTURY: Penola's David Somerfield cruised his way to an impressive 138 runs against the Bulldogs at McCorquindale Park on Saturday. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

STORY CENTURY: Penola’s David Somerfield cruised his way to an impressive 138 runs against the Bulldogs at McCorquindale Park on Saturday. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

EAST Gambier faces a daunting task heading into day two of its round nine Barber Shield meeting with Penola, after the Eagles soared to devastating heights at McCorquindale Park on Saturday.

I final score of 4/286 was recorded after the 80 overs were complete and the hosts look set for another easy victory when the Bulldogs take to the crease this weekend.

A century from David Somerfield made up a bulk of the score, with the in-form Eagle finding the boundary on 13 occasions – four on the full – to finish 138 not out.

His partnership with Lewis March was the most rewarding, just one run short of a century as the pair added 99 runs to the total.

March was the next best score with 38, which included four fours, while Jack Schulz (37) opened with Jack Mullan (9) to set the ball rolling.

Schulz was joined by Bateman at the crease after Mullan was judged lbw with the total at 18, with another 33 runs added before Schulz was caught and bowled by East’s Ash Dumigan.

With the score at 2/51, Somerfield took to the crease and the Bulldogs’ attack was put to the test.

The total had reached a solid 118 when Bateman was caught by Dumigan off Alex Hentschke and the Eagles looked in good stead.

March then joined Somerfield and they did not look back.

Eventually the former was caught by Nathan Gore off Simon Golebiowski for his second wicket of the day.

However, the damage had been done and it did not end there, with Mark Smith stepping up to contribute 24 unbeaten runs and see out the innings with Somerfield.

The final score of 286 seems well out of reach for the Bulldogs, who only last round posted their first win of the season.

They will have to pull something spectacular out of the bag if they are to stand a chance, but with the depth of Penola’s bowling lineup, it is an unlikely scenario.

With the ball on Saturday it was Golebiowski who led the way with 2/52, while Hentschke (1/72) and Dumigan (1/38) took the remaining scalps.