By Lachlan Onions
WEST GAMBIER 8/186 d PENOLA 9/128
WEST Gambier continued its strong start to the Barber Shield season on Saturday when it defeated the reigning premiers by 58 runs.
Penola batted first at Marist Park and Lewis March combined with Jack Mullan to form a solid opening partnership.
It took the Roos until the 19th over to get the first wicket of the game when Niall Easterbrook dismissed Mullan for 26.
At the halfway point in the innings, West Gambier restricted Penola to just 45 runs and although the wickets had yet to fall, the Roos were in a strong position.
Tom Clayfield was the next to fall when he was caught in the 26th over for 16 off Jack Geddes’ bowling to make it 2/70.
Eagles captain Drew Clayfield was the next to the crease and looked to increase his side’s run-rate to post a formidable total.
Drew Clayfield and March formed a 32-run partnership before the captain was dismissed by Bray Stephenson in the 31st over for 22 runs off 21 deliveries.
The third wicket proved to be a game-changer as a batting collapse soon followed and pressure was mounted on the Eagles.
Penola went from 2/102 to 9/124 in less than nine overs and made its way to 9/128 off its 40 overs.
March was the top scorer for the Eagles with 42 runs off 101 deliveries but was one of the players to fall to Stephenson, who ripped through the batting line-up.
Stephenson finished his eight-over spell with 4/24 including two maiden overs, while Sam Willis also made a valuable contribution with 2/13.
Despite a slightly below par score from Penola, the Eagles fought hard early in response.
In just the fifth over, Michael Waters picked up the key wicket of Nuwan Gunawardana, who scored 24 runs in a stint which included three 6’s.
In the 10th over, the Eagles claimed their second wicket when Geddes was caught off Lachy Jones.
The game was in the balance after 10 overs as the Roos found themselves at 2/37.
However, Trent Badman and Jake Blackwell formed a crucial partnership to thwart any momentum the Penola bowlers had and stretched the score out to 68 before Badman was dismissed by Josh Doyle.
Blackwell scored runs efficiently and was a thorn in the side for Penola as he helped guide his team towards victory.
At the halfway point, West Gambier was well and truly on top at 3/83 and needed just 46 runs from 120 balls to claim victory.
Mullan gave his side a glimmer of hope when he dismissed Willis LBW to make it 4/99.
Penola continued to cling on to the game when Zac Zema bowled Samuel Coxon to make it 5/110.
However, Blackwell continued to control the game with bat in hand and combined with Stephenson for the match-winning partnership.
Eli Hunter eventually found the breakthrough but it was not before Blackwell made it to a half century.
March grabbed two wickets in the 39th over in a consolation effort as West ended its innings on 8/186.
Blackwell’s 50 from 79 balls was the top score of the game, while March’s one over with the ball saw him pick up the best bowling figures for Penola with 2/5.
