PENOLA cricketers are already celebrating, with both A and B Grade sides through to the Mount Gambier and District grand finals this weekend.
The A Grade will face North Sportsman’s for the Barber Shield honours, after comfortably taking care of West Gambier over the weekend in the semi-final clash.
While it was not the ideal start when the Eagles headed out to the middle to set a target for the Roos, with both openers gone for just three runs – and both for ducks – from there they began to hit their straps.
Captain Jase Bateman and Dave Somerfield banged on a 64-run partnership to steady the ship, which helped the Eagles take control.
While George Kidman came and went for just two runs, every other player in the roster managed double-figure scores.
Somerfield fell just short of his half-century, but led all Penola batsmen with 47.
In the end the Eagles reached an imposing 189 runs, which was always going to be a tough task for the Roos.
West was never in the run chase, with Michael Waters (4/6), Somerfield (3/35) and Kidman (3/8) on top with the ball.
The result was the ideal lead-in to the grand final this weekend.
The Eagles have been a consistent performer throughout the season and finished top of the ladder, the only team not to have dropped a game.
They have the upper hand over the Tigers, with a win in round three after defending a healthy 163 runs in the limited-overs fixture.
North managed just 124 runs in its chase, with only Jake Schutz making any runs of note.
They also claimed the Barber Shield honours over the Tigers last season and will want to record back-to-back crowns this weekend.
For Penola, Somerfield has been in ominous form with bat and ball, with plenty of wickets, but more importantly a mountain of runs.
He has amassed 633 runs for the Barber Shield season alone, at an average of 79.13, with a high score of 138 not out.
No other Eagle has come close to that mark, but for the Tigers Jake Schutz has actually found more runs, with 657.
If those two players fire with the bat for their respective sides, regardless of the outcome it could be an entertaining weekend of cricket.
Penola will look to its strike bowlers to curtail any influence Schutz may have on the outcome.
While he made a half-century back in round three, he was out for no score in the weather-affected round 10 clash.
However, the Tigers have much more than just Schutz to fall back on, but the same can be said for the Eagles.
While Jack Schulz and Jack Mullan were out for ducks on the weekend, it is unlikely the opening pair will make the same mistake twice.
If they can give the Eagles a solid foundation, the likes of Bateman, Somerfield, Kidman and Mark Smith can go to work and build from there.
They will however need to remain at the crease against a tough bowling attack.
The Tigers ripped through the South batting lineup on the weekend, with Declan Kenny claiming 5/6 off nine overs.
Tim Young claimed three scalps, while Michael Johnston chipped in with the remaining two.
Add to that lineup Nick and Matt McInerney and there is no time for complacency at the crease.
But of course the Eagles boast not just Somerfield, Kidman and Waters, but also the likes of Conrad Slabber and Curt Evans, who can both do some damage.
It all adds up to an intriguing clash, worthy of a Barber Shield grand final at the mecca of cricket, Frew Park.
Meanwhile, the B Grade faces top side Kalangadoo and will need to be at their best to claim what could be classed as an upset win.
Nathan Fulton will lead his players by example, with plenty of experience to draw upon as the game unfolds.
The likes of Matt Honner, Damian Wenman, Josh Doyle and Tom Clayfield will look to apply scoreboard pressure or get off to a solid start in a run chase.
With the ball look for Doyle, James Foggo, Jacob Robbie and of course Brad Maney, who can all do damage with the ball.
It will be a tough order for the Eagles to claim this one, but certainly not beyond their reach.
