SES 10/139 def Lincoln South 10/99

A SUPERB 70 not out from Steven Orchard wasn't enough to get Lincoln South over the line as Southern Eyre South ran out winners by 40 runs in a re-match of last season's grand final.

After winning the toss and batting, the Southerners were soon in early trouble when Shane Stockham ripped through the top order, claiming the wickets of Kavanagh, Smith, Parker and Wagner, as the visitors collapsed to be 4/30.

With Southern Eyre South missing several key middle order batsmen, the job was left to Julian Doudle to undertake a rescue mission. Doudle was the dominant partner in a number of key partnerships with McGown, Siviour and Levi Smith, before being caught behind off Nathan Sincock for 50.

Matt Pertzel and Joel Nagel added some valuable runs late to see SES eventually dismissed for 139 in the 41st over.

Stockham (4/27) was by far the pick of the bowlers, with Symonds and Nathan Sincock claiming two wickets apiece.

The run chase got off to a disastrous start for Lincoln South with Nathan Sincock brilliantly caught by Nagel in the gully for 0.

He was followed three balls later by new recruit Shannon Whittey, who watched a Morgan inswinger cartwheel off stump. Meanwhile, Orchard looked in ominous touch, punishing anything short as he kept the scoreboard ticking over with ease.

However, new recruit Nagel was making an impressive debut for the Southerners and he claimed his first wicket for the maroon caps when he had Symonds caught in the gully for four.

Reidy soon followed, caught behind for two, and the game was well and truly in the balance with Souths falling to 4/31.

Morgan, who was bowling one of his best spells for several years, soon made it five when he clean bowled Stoetzer for eight. By this stage the responsibility laid entirely on the shoulders of Orchard, and he continued to find the Poole boundaries with regularity.