AN impressive captain’s knock from David Somerfield guided South Gambier to a big win over Mil Lel on Saturday at Blue Lake Sports Park.
In a high-scoring one-day clash for round seven of Barber Shield cricket, Somerfield made a tricky run chase look easy, with the highest innings of the summer – 165 runs off just 111 balls.
The opposition bowlers had no answer for the stroke maker, as he struck 18 fours and nine sixes to seal the victory well before he departed.
Before Somerfield’s master class, Mil Lel was in a solid position to overcome the ladder leaders.
The Demons sent the visitors in, who enjoyed a solid start from openers Jonathan Allcock and Jarryd Burston.
Despite not scoring a run off the bat until the third over, the pair scored 44 runs until Burston was clean bowled by Robert Drenthen for 23.
His partner Allcock found runs slightly more difficult to come by and was also castled by Drethen for six shortly after.
The double-strike put the pressure firmly on Mil Lel’s middle order.
Carey Megaw and Todd Carpenter took a couple of overs to get their eyes in, but they eventually started to shift the momentum and kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Their 42-run partnership had increased the run rate, but just when Carpenter found his groove with four boundaries in five balls, he lost his defences to Adam Kuhl on 26.
After the top order failed to convert on a number of starts, the visitors needed some names to stop the steady wickets.
At 3/86, they found Megaw and Daniel Justin, who stood up and were proactive at the crease.
The pair kept South’s fielders on their toes, changing the strike regularly to score at a run a ball.
The total climbed upwards of 150, while Megaw was not afraid to play some inventive strokes to bring up his half century.
But his creativeness also brought about his downfall, after the right-hander was bowled by David Vine while playing a reverse sweep on 51.
Ben Thiel was elevated up the order to perform the pinch-hitter role and provided strong support for Justin by rotating the strike.
The duo pushed the score close to the 200-run mark, as Justin accelerated with a couple of big blows.
He finished with 54 runs after being run out by a Daniel Loupos direct hit on the penultimate delivery of the innings.
Mil Lel finished at 5/200 from its 40 overs, which was boosted after the Demons conceded 27 extras and multiple missed chances.
With a solid total on the board, Mil Lel’s attack charged in with confidence and its excitement grew with a wicket in the second over.
Mil Lel captain Jack Miller dismissed Kuhl for a three-ball duck, but the former did not smile for much longer, as his opposite number made his presence felt.
Somerfield was in complete control and built a 73-run stand with David Vine to put the Demons on the front foot.
Their partnership came in quick time, but when Vine fell for 32, both sides remained in the game, with 124 runs still required for a South victory.
However, Somerfield blew Mil Lel away with a helping hand from Josh Thompson.
Their stand began with three consecutive boundaries, which set the precedent of what was to come.
Both hit the visitors to all parts of the ground, as the run rate and total climbed in dramatic fashion.
Somerfield brought up his century with a four through backward point and saluted his team mates.
But the Demons’ captain was more concerned about the game itself and continued his assault.
He and Thompson ensured South cruised well past Mil Lel’s total with a 165-run stand off just 124 balls.
Despite Somerfield eventually being dismissed for 165 and Jakob Opie run out shortly after, Thompson remained not out on 43 as the Demons compiled 4/259 from the 40 overs to complete a convincing triumph.
All the visiting bowlers suffered a tough time, as Miller, Megaw and Allcock collected one-wicket each.
Somerfield’s standout performance extended South’s advantage at the top of the ladder, while defeat saw Mil Lel drop out of the top four.
