By Trevor Jackson
MCCORQUINDALE Park provided mixed fortunes for Penola on Saturday in Round 9 of Barber Shield cricket.
The opening day against South Gambier saw the Demons win the toss and send the Eagles in to bat on their home deck.
It did not take long for that decision to pay dividends, as opener Lewis March was bowled by Elwood Geary for just three runs.
It was not the best start and when Jack Schulz was caught off the bowling of Jakob Opie, the Eagles were already on shaky ground at 2/14.
Tom Clayfield and Mark Smith came to the rescue, with a solid partnership to steady the innings.
Unfortunately after establishing their wickets, Smith fell for 27, while Clayfield was run out just one run later for 10, leaving the Eagles at 4/51.
it was Drew Clayfield who then became the saviour of the Penola innings, batting out the remainder of the innings to finish with an unbeaten 83 off 172 deliveries.
Support was provided from Michael Waters in the middle order, who kept the runs flowing with 32 off 43 balls, and down the order Zac Zema held up his end for 12 runs off 39 deliveries.
The Eagles were bowled out in the 74th over for 199.
Jared Kuhl was best with the ball for South, with 3/31 off nine overs.
Geary and Camron Jorgensen claimed two scalps each.
South then faced three overs before stumps, with Jared Kuhl and Geary not out for no runs at the end of play.
