THE 2019-20 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association season spluttered off to a damp start on Saturday, after two of the three games were abandoned due to wet weather.
But the South and West Gambier clash went ahead uninterrupted at Malseed Park.
David Somerfield’s leadership at his new home began in convincing fashion after his fine all-round performance led the Demons to the first victory of the summer..
An under-strength Roos’ side fought valiantly, but was forced to ponder what could have been after it missed multiple opportunities to turn the game in its favour.
The Demons won an important toss and sent the home side into bat on a damp and challenging pitch.
Opening batsmen Josh Cornollo and Niall Easterbrook adapted themselves early and saw out the new ball.
Easterbrook was the aggressor, but was dismissed for 19 after the 25-run opening stand.
West’s top order continued to answer South’s attack as Connor Prior settled in with Cornollo.
At 1/62 the hosts appeared to be on their way to compile a solid total until Cornollo lost his defences for a promising 30.
The Roos struggled to bounce back after the young opener’s departure, as Richard Crute, Prior, Curtis King, Nick Bone and Steven Hughes all fell in quick succession.
Senior debutante Jed Matthews could only watch as his partners fell around him at the other end, but he stood tall in an impressive maiden outing.
The youngster attacked the bowling and worked with the tail skilfully to compile a well-made 38.
His impressive late hitting ensured West batted out its required overs to post a competitive 9/141.
Somerfield was the chief destroyer with ball after a four-wicket haul, while James Dunn and Daniel Loupos captured two scalps each.
Roos captain Crute gave his side the perfect start to the second innings with the early dismissal of David Vine.
But West’s joy was short lived as Adam Kuhl dug in with Josh Thompson to steady the run chase.
Thompson was the aggressor in the 49-run partnership, which came to an end when Hughes finally found a way past Kuhl’s defences on 17.
Kuhl’s wicket brought danger-man Somerfield to the crease.
West knew if South’s captain fell cheaply the result would be in the balance and the intensity lifted.
Prior charged in with his tail up, but luck was not with the youngster.
The Roos threw away two golden chances to dismiss the pair off Prior’s bowling.
Somerfield was given a life after a dropped catch, while a missed stumping proved costly when Thompson left his crease.
Prior was convinced he had the breakthrough when Somerfield left a delivery alone, which appeared to have hit the stumps, only for the bails to remain unmoved.
Somerfield did not look back after his lucky escape, as himself and Thompson wrestled the game out of West’s hands.
The pair played at their devastating best with seven boundaries and three maximums between them during the 93-run stand.
Thompson cruised to a half-century, but Somerfield fell agonisingly short of his own milestone to Crute on 46.
However, the damage was already done after the duo chased down the target with overs to spare and seven wickets still in hand, while Thompson remained not out on 67.
