A LATE fightback ensured Penola completed a thrilling two-wicket win over South Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park in the final white-ball round of Barber Shield cricket on Saturday.
The Eagles triumphed after Michael Waters and Lachlan Jones produced an unlikely match-winning partnership for the ninth-wicket chasing 186.
The game fluctuated throughout the day, as the visitors were on the back foot early.
Despite Adam Kuhl being dismissed for a duck in the second over, the Demons’ top order fired after David Vine and David Somerfield stamped their authority.
The experienced pair put the pressure back on Penola’s bowlers with a counter-attacking partnership.
They were not afraid to find the boundary rope with aggressive shots to score 67 runs in quick time.
Somerfield appeared in ominous form against his former side and raced to 31 off 39 balls, but was eventually caught-and-bowled by George Kidman.
Despite the loss of his captain at the other end, Vine continued his assault.
However, he struggled to find adequate support from his partners, as Penola targeted the other end.
James Dunn showed promise with an aggressive 16 runs, but he was bowled by Conrad Slabber, before Josh Thompson’s wicket fell shortly after.
After a small scare, Vine eventually found some allies in the middle order to increase the score.
The opener dominated a 23-run partnership with James Sullivan and raced past the 50-run milestone.
Vine received similar support by Michael Sims and they ensured the hosts reached 150.
However, after South wrestled back the momentum, Slabber turned the tables.
After he bowled Sullivan, the right-armer finished Sims’ promising start on 20 and removed Robert Drenthen one ball later for a golden duck.
Slabber almost achieved a rare hat-trick after Dylan Clough narrowly survived an lbw shout, but Penola’s game changer had not finished his performance yet.
Moments after Vine was dropped and hit a six off Slabber’s bowling, the latter finished the opener’s innings with a high, flying catch.
Vine was forced to walk off just three runs short of a century after he struck 14 fours and two sixes during his entertaining knock.
Without South’s main contributor with the bat, the hosts struggled and were bowled out for 185.
Each Eagles’ bowler picked up a wicket, but Slabber’s figures were the most impressive with 4/36 from eight overs.
With a much-needed win over the ladder leaders in sight, Penola enjoyed a perfect start from its openers.
Jack Mullan and Mark Smith put on 69 runs and built a solid platform for the run chase.
But after Mullan was dismissed by Dunn for a quick-fire 52, the Demons tore through the Eagles’ top order.
Five of the next six batsmen failed to reach double figures, as Penola slipped from 0/69 to 7/124.
With another 62 runs required for victory, the Eagles’ tail had to find a way to keep their victory hopes alive.
Curt Evans offered a glimmer of hope when he struck three boundaries, but was eventually knocked over by Dunn for 14.
At 8/144, a Penola win remained unlikely when Jones joined Waters at the crease, but the pair began to swing the momentum.
The lower-order combination managed to increase the home side’s frustrations over after over, as they clawed closer to the target.
With tensions at boiling point, Waters hit his fifth boundary to complete a memorable win for the Eagles.
Waters and Jones walked off with scores of 39 and 13 not out respectively, while Dunn was the only regular South wicket taker with three scalps.
