By Lachlan Onions
FOR the second time this season, a Baber Shield clash between Penola and North Sportsman’s has been abandoned due to the rain.
The Eagles batted first at Marist Park and after a promising start, found themselves under pressure thanks to some impressive pace bowling from Nick McInerney and Matthew Robinson.
McInerney struck first when he found the outside edge of Jack Mullan’s bat and keeper Mitchell Lewis took an impressive diving catch low to his right.
Lewis managed to improve on his first catch when he took a catch up at the stumps to dismiss Tom Clayfield off Matthew Robinson’s bowling.
North was well and truly on top when McInerney struck again just three balls later to make it 3/23 off 10.2 overs.
However, Penola soon fought back into the contest through Mark Smith and captain Drew Clayfield.
Clayfield led the scoring with the bat as he scored 39 runs off 53 balls before he became McInerney’s latest victim.
Elliott Fisher then made his presence felt as he asked plenty of questions for the middle-lower order of Penola and claimed three wickets in quick succession.
At 8/118, the Tigers had the Eagles under immense pressure but tail-enders Lachy jones and Jesse Vass combined for 34 runs to make it to the end of the 40 overs at 8/152.
McInerney led the bowlers with 3/25 off eight overs, while Fisher claimed 3/43 off his spell.
As the second innings began, the game was in the balance and could have gone either way after a competitive first innings total from the visitors.
However, once again, the rain brought the game to an early conclusion and the match was abandoned less than five overs into the second innings with the home side at 0/23 when play ended.
