WITH just one win up its sleeve since the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield season opener, Mil Lel will enter its clash up north against Penola with high hopes of causing an upset.
However, the Eagles currently sit in third place on the ladder and will have every intention of claiming a convincing victory on their home ground at McCorquindale Park.
It is hard to mount a case for Mil Lel, which has struggled to keep up with the top sides this season – its only win coming against bottom-ranked East Gambier.
But it is not impossible.
Penola has had its share of ups and downs, recording losses to both North Sportsman’s and West Gambier and as a result it will hope to put the game beyond doubt on the first day.
It is the final round before the Christmas and new year break and all sides will hope to finish the year with a win and a position in the top four.
If Mil Lel will get the upper-hand on Penola, it could break into finals contention, providing South loses to current competition front-runner North.
A top four position would be a good confidence-booster for Mil Lel, but it will be tough to get there.
The Eagles have a long list of talent, which only lengthened this season with the inclusion of former Kongorong players Michael Waters and Jack Mullan.
Waters – in particular – has had a stellar start to the 2017/18 season with both the bat and the ball.
He has reached double figures on three of his four occasions at the crease and padded up at the bottom order to steady the Eagles if they are trouble, while also taking eight wickets.
Penola skipper Jase Bateman has also led by example, reaching his half century in Round 2 against West Gambier and will hope to repeat that performance if the Eagles are to bat this weekend.
On the other hand, Mil Lel will hope to play as it did in its recent victory over East at Frew Park.
It was hard to fault Mil Lel, which had four players reach double figures with the bat and had the Bulldogs all out for 64 runs.
Jonathon Allcock was most impressive with 55, but Todd Carpenter also chipped in with a solid 41 runs, while with the ball it was Ben Thiel and Jack Miller who claimed three scalps each to assist in the comprehensive victory over the Bulldogs.
If Mil Lel can bring its confidence from that game into its clash with Penola it could result in an upset.
However, it is likely the Eagles will put together a solid performance – whether it be with the bat or ball – to put the game beyond doubt early.
