WEST Gambier set a target of 195 runs for a Mil Lel victory after day one of the round 10 Barber Shield clash at Malseed Park on Saturday.
A consistent effort saw seven double-figure scores, while co-captain Jake Blackwell topped the sheets with 38 runs.
His partnership with opener Jack Geddes was the best of the day, as the pair added 63 runs before Geddes was bowled by Tom Nieuwerkerk for 33.
Youngster Connor Prior opened with Geddes and the total was at 16 when he was bowled by Ben Thiel, for his first of four wickets.
After Geddes’ dismissal, Blackwell was joined by Sam Willis, with the total exceeding 100 before the former was bowled by Nieuwerkerk.
Ben Hentschke stepped up to the crease and managed 11 runs before he was caught and bowled by Caleb Bachmann, who played in his first Barber Shield game of the season.
From there the Roos lost some momentum, with youngster Josh Cornolo out for eight, before co-captain Niall Easterbrook (16), Alex Hill (14) and Curtis King (10) all came and went without dealing any major damage.
Regardless, West posted a defendable total of 194, all out in the 64th over.
Thiel was best with the ball for Mil Lel, with 4/56 from 17.2 overs, while Nieuwerkerk was also impressive with 2/11 from eight.
Jonathan Allcock, Bachmann and captain Craig Lock all claimed a wicket each in a solid team effort.
Padding up to bat out the day, Mil Lel now sits with an overnight score of 2/26 and will have plenty of work to do on day two this weekend.
Openers Justin Lamont (5) and Josh Jantosh (13) did not have the ideal start, while youngsters Nieuwerkerk (8) and Carey Megaw (0) will return to the crease to open day two.
Willis and Easterbrook took a wicket each and will be out to cause some more damage when West resumes its attack this Saturday, weather permitting.
