CROSS-town rivals North Sportsman’s and South Gambier will lock horns at Marist Park for round eight of Barber Shield cricket tomorrow afternoon.
Although the teams sit second and third on the ladder respectively, the margin between those positions has so far been a large one.
The Tigers have been deadly this season and sit under ladder-leader Penola only due to the Eagles’ outright win against the Demons back in round four.
Just one round of cricket has been played since then, with the following two fixtures called off due to weather extremities.
South will have a challenge on its hands, with North raising the bar and recording some impressive totals so far this season.
Jake Schutz has been on fire in 2018-19 and will likely open with the bat and chase another big total tomorrow.
A 224-run haul against East Gambier in day one last round has been his best to date, but he has also excelled in the shorter format.
A 96 in round two, backed up by 54 the following week are his best one-day results so far for the season.
He will no doubt be chasing a century tomorrow and joined by the likes of Matt McInerney and Michael Johnston, the top order should have the Demons shaking in their boots.
South will hope to see Camron Jorgenson back up his bowling performance from last round, which saw him with six wickets for the match.
Robbie Drenthen and Dylan Clough also found the stumps in that clash with Mil Lel and will look to fire again.
With the bat, Luke Zadow continues to impress, while Michael Sims and Jacob Parham will also carry confidence from their efforts with the bat last round.
The entire batting order will need to be at its best if it is to stand a chance against the hard-hitting Tigers, with a long list of bowlers capable of taking a bag of wickets.
The likes of Johnston, Nick and Matt McInerney, plus Declan Kenny – just to name a few – will all be on the prowl, as North chases what should be its fifth win of the season.
