By Lachlan Onions
NORTH SPORTSMAN’S 4/110 d PENOLA 10/78
FOR the third time this season, a fixture between Penola and North Sportsman’s has been impacted by rain after the second day of the Barber Shield clash was called off due to the weather.
After the two previous encounters ended in washouts, a rain-free Day 1 meant a result came from this contest after the Tigers bowled the Eagles out for 78 and afterwards, surpassed Penola’s total with the bat before stumps last Saturday.
Isaac Mulraney and Elliott Fisher dealt the damage with the ball as they claimed eight wickets between them.
With the bat, Nick McInerney was North’s best as he scored an unbeaten 56 runs and helped his side claim a first-innings victory.
McInerney also chipped in earlier in the day with two wickets of his own in a solid performance.
For Penola, Mark Smith was the best with bat and ball, as he scored 19 runs and claimed two wickets.
Penola’s loss means it has moved down to fourth on the ladder, while North’s season came to an end as it fell just short of finals in fifth place, 6.6 points behind Penola.
The Eagles will now look to regroup before they make the trip to Malseed Park next weekend to take on the minor premiers West Gambier in the semi-final, with the winner to face either South or East Gambier in the grand final at Frew Park the following week.
