Penola finally kicks off Barber Shield campaign against West Gambier

PENOLA’S stuttering Barber Shield cricket campaign finally kicked into gear on Saturday and it is in the middle of a tough fight against West Gambier after an even opening day at Malseed Park.

The Eagles were forced to spend the first three rounds on the sidelines and appeared slightly rusty with bat in hand after they were sent in by the home side.

A steady start from Penola’s opening pair was finished in the fifth over by Shane Dycer, who returned to play his first A Grade match in two seasons.

Dycer removed Jack Schulz for nine, which brought the aggressive Jack Mullan to the crease.

Mullan appeared to put the pressure back on the home side with an early maximum, but his stay was cut short by Sam Willis for 13.

At the other end, Lewis March remained firm and looked to build a stand with his captain Jase Bateman.

The pair saw out the opening bowlers and created a platform after nudging along to a 28-run stand.

But the pressure created by the home side eventually proved too much, as the Roos pounced on any sniff given by the Eagles with their skills and energy in the field.

A sharp catch by Connor Prior in the slips cordon brought March’s 28-run innings to an end and handed Niall Easterbrook his first wicket.

Just two balls later, Mark Smith thought he pierced a ball through mid off for a boundary, but instead he was brilliantly caught by a diving Oliver Miles at full stretch.

After Smith was forced to walk back to the pavilion for a two-ball duck, West was fired up and dictated terms.

The Roos’ celebrations continued when a frustrated Bateman attempted to pull a length ball from Josh Cornolo and was bowled for 14.

With the fall of its captain, Penola was in deep trouble at 5/66 and Michael Waters dug in to limit the damage.

Waters found runs hard to come by, while Curt Evans was moving at close to a run-a-ball.

Evans motored to 21 off just 23 deliveries until Trueman Schrader castled him.

Waters continued to dig his heels in and found a partner in George Kidman.

The pair ensured the Eagles crawled past triple figures and frustrated the home side.

But after over an hour of defiance, Willis finally found a way through Waters’ defence to dismiss the patient batsman for nine runs off 54 balls.

Kidman raised the tempo after the wicket to boost Penola’s total, but Dycer had other ideas.

The veteran bowler dismissed Kidman for 24 and cleaned up the tail order to restrict the visitors to a 137-run total.

Another disciplined West display with the ball set up an enticing run chase for victory, but it had to play out a difficult 22-over period before stumps.

The Roos’ nerves were amplified after Easterbrook fell to Waters for a golden duck.

The Eagles swooped on an avenue back into the contest and their bowlers kept runs to a minimum.

Waters claimed another victim when he found the edge of Prior’s bat and suddenly West was wobbling at 2/3.

Remaining opener Jack Geddes proved difficult to dislodge, but after hanging in for 66 balls, he was dismissed by Logan Gibbs.

At 3/15, nightwatchman Miles joined Cornolo at the crease to protect the middle order and the young pair defied Penola’s hungry attack until stumps.

The Roos finished the day’s play at 3/16 to set up an intriguing finish to the round-four contest.