By Trevor Jackson
THE opening day of Round 9 of Barber Shield cricket played out well for West Gambier, as the Roos faced North Sportsman’s at Marist Park.
While opener Justin Dejong was out for a slow duck, clean bowled by Isaac Mulraney, Nuwan Gunawardana showed plenty of flair in a quick-fire 28-run stand off just 28 deliveries.
He was gone with the score on just 32, a victim of Declan Kenny, but Trent Badman and Jake Blackwell dug in and began to build a handy partnership.
After facing 71 deliveries, Badman became Mulraney’s second scalp, gone for 19 ion a well-played support role.
Blackwell ultimately fell well short of a century after looking in good touch.
He was caught off the bowling of Kenny for 73, which helped set up the Roos for the remainder of the day.
Sam Willis contributed a handy 32, while Bray Stephenson offered 25 in the middle order.
Willis fell to the dangerous Mulraney, while Thomas Maddigan had Stephenson caught behind the stumps.
Down the order Niall Easterbrook contributed a handy 22 off just 29 balls, but in the end the North bowlers were able to dispose of West for 232 in 77.4 overs.
Mulraney topped the list of bowlers, with figures of 4/50 off 19 overs.
Kenny finished with 3/53, while Elliott Fisher worked hard off his 26 overs for 2/64.
it will provide a big challenge for the Tigers on Day 2 of play this coming weekend.
