MGDCA: Pride on the line

DANGER MAN: North Sportsman's Matt McInerney could be the difference in the Round 4 Barber Shield clash against West Gambier which starts tomorrow at Malseed Park, after an impressive century back in the opening round of the season against Mil Lel.
DANGER MAN: North Sportsman’s Matt McInerney could be the difference in the Round 4 Barber Shield clash against West Gambier which starts tomorrow at Malseed Park, after an impressive century back in the opening round of the season against Mil Lel.

THE top-of-the-table clash in Barber Shield cricket should provide plenty of interest over the next two weekends, as North Sportsman’s and West Gambier look to gain the upper hand.

Both sides are undefeated this season and will look to retain that status when Round 4 is done and dusted.

West will claim the home-ground advantage tomorrow at Malseed Park, but it should have little effect on the outcome, with the small ground providing opportunities for both sides’ big hitters.

Both boast three batsmen in the top 10 for high scores, with North’s Matt McInerney at the pointy end, after a blistering 132 against Mil Lel in Round 1.

In that innings McInerney found the boundary 16 times and cleared the Marist Park fence on six occasions.

He was joined in that match by Jake Schutz, who contributed 48 to a bruising 3/255 in the 40-over match.

Schutz currently sits fourth on the list with a century to his name the following round against East Gambier at Scott Park.

Once again a one-day format, Schutz and Michael Johnston were unbeaten, reaching 211 off their 40 overs, with the latter contributing 91.

Johnston sits sixth in the hall of fame thanks to that effort.

Those two games suggested North was the team to beat this year, but the following round was not so cut and dried, with Penola bundling the Tigers out for a paltry 102 in the 47th over of the first two-day game of the season.

But North bounced back with the ball, disposing of the Eagles for less runs to claim first-innings points, then banging on 5/162 off 60 overs, to show they could still play the longer game.

Jake Blackwell is the highest scorer for West so far this season, with a timely 97 against Penola in Round 2.

Chasing a solid 164 for victory, Blackwell came in at number three with just two runs on the board for the Roos, then all-but batted through the innings as West reached 5/210 off its 40 overs.

While Bowen Hosking was out for just two runs in that game, he went on to reach 64 in his next innings against Mil Lel, to push him up to eighth place on the list, while Jack Gosling sits just behind in ninth thanks to a 62 in the same match.

It all adds up to some exciting batting on the small Malseed Park ground, should the batsmen prevail against tough bowling attacks.

Once again the two sides dominate the top 10 in bowlers, with four players represented from North and three from West.

North’s Josh Fidler is best of the seven, with best figures of 6/35 against Penola, while fellow Tiger Johnston had an impressive 5/11 against East.

Niall Easterbrook has also managed a five-wicket haul for the Roos – against Penola – while West’s Ben Hentschke’s best effort of 4/42 against Mil Lel is also impressive.

But add to the list the likes of Declan Kenny (4/8), Nick McInerney (3/19) and Sam Willis (4/11) and it will be no walk in the park for either side with the bat.

With the two-day format there will be time to settle at the crease, but if the bowlers take the upper hand, it could be a tough day for whatever side bats tomorrow.