NORTH Sportsman’s sit high and mighty on the top of the ladder coming into the second half of the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield season and will have no intention on letting its impressive record slip when hosting Penola in a one day match at Marist Park today.
However, the Tigers will be undermanned.
Joshua Fidler, as well as McInerney brothers Nick and Matt are absent from the side’s line-up due to South Australian Country Outbacks commitments.
The trio are playing in Western Australia in the Australian Country Cricket Championships in the state colours.
While their absence will be sorely missed, it is no question North does have the depth to cover it.
A good example was former B Grade cricketer Matthew Robinson who put in an unbeaten 31 runs against South in the final round before the Christmas and New Year break and will hope to repeat that performance come this weekend.
Jake Schutz has been unstoppable at the crease and with the absence of Fidler and the McInerney brothers, North will need another stellar performance from him with the bat.
Schutz has opened each week and worked as an anchor for the Tigers, finding those quick singles and holding onto his wicket.
His patience at the crease has seen him reach credible totals.
He has made an unbeaten 100 and 86, while also chipping in with an impressive 71 and 48.
With good leadership from captain Tim Young North has found its way out of trouble on two occasions already this season – against Penola and South – and proved it has the ability to win the matches that come down to the wire.
With that in mind, Penola will do its best to stop the continuance of North’s dominance with a solid innings with both the bat and ball.
The Eagles have the perfect opportunity to do so this weekend, providing they are at full strength.
If David Somerfield can find that same hunger he displayed in the President’s Cup in December, Penola could well be on its way to an upset victory.
When the game was in the balance Somerfield managed five scalps, before hitting his way to an unbeaten 85 runs.
His experience with both the bat and ball could intimidate the Tigers, but he will need help from his team mates.
Michael Waters has been in solid form this season and playing for a different club has not hindered his performances.
He has found a way to claim scalps when the Eagles have need them most and held his wicket when he pads up down the batting order.
Jack Schulz has been another to step up with the bat.
In the Eagles’ final clash before the break, Schulz made a credible 56 before he was caught out.
Penola captain Jase Bateman will look at a big effort from not only Somerfield and Waters, but the rest of his troops, as a victory could secure them second place on the Barber Shield ladder.
The shorter one-day format means runs will need to be made quickly, but at the same time each team needs to keep wickets in hand.
With Fidler and the McInerney brothers absent from the line-up this game could come down to the wire.
However, North will show its true form and again find a way to take the premiership points, providing the heat policy is not enforced.
