Eagles flying high

It WAS tough going at Frew Park at the weekend as North Sportsman’s and Penola went head-to-head in the Globe Hotel Big Bash grand final.

Runs were at a premium and in the end, the time honoured tactic of runs-on-the-board proved a winning formula for Penola as the Eagles won a nailbiting T20 final.

The Eagles won the toss and elected to bat , losing big hitting Jack Mullan early, but thanks to an almost run-a-ball 38 from Mark Smith and some middle order resistance from Bredon Smart, who plundered 25 from 22, Penola posted a defendable 8/107.

A late innings 15 from Jacob Edwards also proved critical.

North’s Nick McInerney ensured the Eagles never really got any significant partnerships going, taking 3/17 from his four overs, while ever-reliable Tim Young removed the dangerous Mullan and also the important pole of Smith, who was ready to really launch when Young sent him packing.

Young was also as frugal as ever, taking 2/16 from his four over spell.

Fresh from a century in the recent Barber Shield round, Mitch Lewis looked promising early before Logan Gibbs sent him back to the sheds and when McInerney was run out, the Tigers were precariously placed at 5/52.

A seventh wicket stand between Alex Hutton and Declan Kenny somewhat resurrected the run chase and even when Kenny was dismissed, the second run out in North’s innings, Zach Clark then provided good support to take the score to 8/96 and within striking distance of victory.

But Smart emerged by removing Hutton – the man who threatened to take the game away from the Eagles – and time basically ran out as Penola hung on for a seven run victory.

Smart finished with 2/13 from four, while Michael Waters was the other multiple wicket taker with 2/19.

Penola now represents the Mount Gambier & District Cricket Association on Australia Day in Warrnambool in search of the $20,000 prize money.