By Trevor Jackson
West Gambier v East Gambier
A HALF-CENTURY to West Gambier’s Bray Stephenson was about the only highlight for the Roos as the final minor round of Barber Shield cricket kicked off on Saturday.
At its home ground of Malseed Park, West struggled, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Unfortunately three wickets fell before West could reach double figures, with Justin DeJong and Jack Geddes out with the total on eight, the latter for a duck, bowled by Liam Turley.
Jake Blackwell came and went, caught behind off Turley, also without bothering the scorers.
Just one run had been added, with West off to a horror start at 3/9.
Alex Hill and Sam Willis settled somewhat, adding 17 runs to the total before the latter was caught of Alex Hentschke for 12.
Stephenson came to the crease and played a steady hand, while Hill did much the same, facing 72 balls for his 15 runs before he was caught off Ben Hentschke with the total at 47.
Tim Hill was the only other player to reach double figures, with 12 runs off 24 deliveries, with West all out in the 52nd over for just 118 runs.
Ben Hentschke did much of the damage, with figures of 5/40 off 13.5 overs.
With time to spare before day’s end, East looked to capitalise with the bat and all looked on track early.
Leigh Von Duve and Ben Hentschke looked settled at the crease, playing a steady role to lead up to stumps.
However, with just nine runs to his name off 41 deliveries, Von Duve was caught of Stephenson with the total at just 20.
Eight runs later and Hentschke was also on his way back to the shed, compiling 12 runs from 68 balls.
Steven Cameron and Nathan Gore were unbeaten at stumps, with East finishing the day at 2/31 off 25 overs.
With a small total to chase the Bulldogs are in the box seat to claim first-innings points on day two of play.
South Gambier v North Gambier
MARIST Park became the home ground for South Gambier against North Sportsman’s after Blue Lake Sports Park became unplayable due to a corella attack on the turf wicket.
However, it made little difference to the Demons, with a Stephen Easterbrook century ensuring South reached a strong total of 258, just shy of the 80-over innings.
North won the toss and sent South into bat, which appeared to pay dividends early.
Daniel Loupos was caught off the bowling of Tim Young for two, while Ryan Kuhl contributed just four runs from a steady 40-ball innings before he was caught off Trent Badman with the total at just 15.
From there Ethan sims and Easterbrook settled into their work, with a handy 47-run stand before Sims was bowled by Isaac Mulraney for 16.
Jed Sims then joined Easterbrook in the middle and a half-century partnership followed.
The pair put on 86 runs before Eaterbrook’s day was over, caught off the bowling of Kayne Badman for 106 off just 92 balls.
His impressive knock included 18 fours and one six.
Further double-figure scores down the order supported his effort, with Jed Sims (27), Nicholas Seager (13), Harrison McBain (13), Michael Sims (29) and Camron Jorgenson (27) all helping to push the total up to the impressive 258.
Young was best with the ball, with figures of 3/74 off 25 overs.
It leaves a huge task for the out-of-form Tigers to chase down this weekend, with a big effort needed from the top of the order if they are any chance to claim the victory.
Penola v Mil Lel
MIL LEL travelled up to McCorquindale Park to face Penola and managed to bowl the home side out, but not before a handy total was reached, much of that on the back of a half-century to Jack Mullan at the top of the order.
Penola won the toss and elected to bat, with Mullan and Lewis March showing good form early.
Both played steady hands, with March first to go, caught behind off Jack Miller for 13, with the total at 43.
Lachie Jones faced a similar demise, this time off the bowling of Mitchell Little with 11 next to his name.
The team century was reached before Mark Smith was sent on his way, clean bowled by Nicholas Walters for 15, before some quick wickets fell.
Drew Clayfield was out for six, Jack Schulz for three and Michael Waters for six before Penola again settled.
George Kidman brought some good form to the crease, with a timely unbeaten 34 down the order.
After 72 overs it was all over, with Penola reaching a defendable 181 runs.
Walters was best with the ball, with figures of 5/41 off 24 overs.
Mil Lel then batted out five overs before stumps, sitting at 0/6 at the end of play.
