By Trevor Jackson
IT was an up-and-down day for both East Gambier and South Gambier at Scott Park for Round 9 of Barber Shield cricket on Saturday.
Both sides struggled with the bat, while a six-wicket haul to Kevin Thomson put East in a strong position.
East won the toss and sent South into bat.
It took 24 runs before the wickets began to tumble, with Ryan Kuhl caught by Thomson off the bowling of Travis Younghusband for just three runs.
From there the wickets well with regularity, as just four runs later Daniel Loupos was caught off Thomson for 24.
Stephen Easterbrook looked somewhat settled at the crease but was soon caught off Younghusband without bothering the scorers.
When Nick Seager handed Thomson his second scalp, also for no score, South was struggling at 4/30.
the hurt continued when the experienced Robert Drenthen fell lbw to Thomson for just four runs and just two runs later Jasvir Singh departed for 10 runs, after looking settled, facing 36 balls.
From there it was only Cameron Jorgenson who gave any hope to the Demons, with 31 to his name before he too was knocked over the Thomson.
In the end South was out for just 100 runs in the 62nd over, leaving ample time for East to make a dent in the target.
Thomson finished the day with figures of 6/34 off 21.5 overs.
While the run chase looked comfortable, East was unable to reach half of that before stumps.
Thomson did not carry on his good form with the bat, caught off Drenthen for a two-ball duck.
James Sullivan was run out for just seven, while Liam Turley went for a golden duck, clean bowled by Jakob Opie.
Opie then followed up one run later with the wicket of Leigh Von Duve and after 15 overs East sat in a precarious position at 4/44.
The Bulldogs would still be in a strong position to claim the win but will need to settle into their work on Day 2 of play.
Results, Day 1: South Gambier 100 (C. Jorgenson 31, D. Loupos 24. K. Thomson 6/34). East Gambier 4/44 after 15 overs (L. Von Duve 20. J. Opie 2/25).
