AFTER finishing second and third respectively last season West Gambier and Penola will do battle in today’s Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield competition at Malseed Park, but with new-look sides.
Continuing the trend from last week, the game will be a one-day, 40-over match.
Both West and Penola have recruited well in the off season and a number of these players were standouts in their new colours last Saturday.
The Roos had a convincing victory over South Gambier in the season opener, while Penola also managed a solid win against East Gambier.
However, the Eagles had limited control with the bat last Saturday with Curt Evans and Kongorong recruit Michael Waters topping the runs on 30 apiece.
Lewis March was close behind on 20, while Tom Clayfield and George Kidman were the remaining two to reach double figures.
West has a strong bowling line-up and if it is to perform similar to its first game of the season, Penola will find the going tough from the outset.
Newcomer Sam Willis proved his ability in his first game for the Roos with four wickets, while recruits Richard Crute and Ben Hentschke also chipped in with two apiece.
And while these are impressive numbers, in return the Eagles certainly boast their fair share of bowling talent.
Brad Maney was best with the ball for Penola last week, claiming three scalps, while Waters and David Somerfield chipped in with two apiece.
But the Eagles will have their work cut out when it comes to fielding against an aggressive West outfit.
Last week’s openers Niall Easterbrook and Bowen Hosking came to play, putting together a solid 61-run partnership to kick off what was a good all round team batting performance.
Easterbrook and Hosking both chipped in with 51 runs apiece before they were sent walking and will hope to maintain that standard tomorrow.
Willis also made his mark with 28 runs, while Ty McManus (25 not out), recruit Jack Gosling (23), Sam Coxon (16 not out) and Ben Hentschke (13) also reached double figures.
This match is expected to go down to the wire and it will come down to who can deal with the pressure at the crease.
