Drenthen leads South to T20 victory

Mount Gambier & District Cricket Association hands out first silverware for the season

East Gambier was chasing 138 for victory at Frew Park last Friday night as the Bulldogs chased the Dycer Constructions Big Bash title but South Gambier’s bowling attack had other ideas, ripping through the top order to see East’s chase in a world of pain at 5/12.

A 66 run partnership between brothers Alex Hentschke and Ben Hentschke looked to steady the ship but it just too big a hill to climb in the end with South Gambier restricting East to 8/120 to take the T20 title.

El Geary started the rot, dismissing Zach Jones and Emerson marks, with man of the match Robbie Drenthen then removing Leigh Von Duve, Jake Wight and Alex Hill. Geary again proved critical, breaking the Hentschke partnership by removing Alex, before Drenthen removed Ben and any hope East had of reaching the victory target.

South won the toss and opted to bat first, with the third wicket partnership between Dylan Clough and Stephen Easterbrook setting up the competitive total of 4/137. Clough was unbeaten on 40 from 38 balls, including four boundaries, while Easterbrook scored 42 from 35, including four fours and clearing the boundary twice.

Reeling at 5/12 early in the run chase, Alex Hentschke’s 31 from 36 and Ben Hentschke’s 52 from 43 gave the Bulldogs some hope, with Conor Little finishing with 14 not out from 12 balls in a bid to reach the victory target but South’s bowling attack always had the East batting line-up under control.

Drenthen’s 18 at the top of the order for South, along with his 4/30 from his four overs, earned him the man of the match plaudits, while Geary’s 3/16 was also match shaping.

Attention now turns to the conclusion of the Barber Shield season with senior cricket finals on the horizon.