Cricket: Eagles and Roos given playoff preview

BIG GAME AHEAD: West Gambier’s Richard Crute will lay it all on the line when the Roos travel north to take on Penola at McCorquindale Park in the final round of Barber Shield cricket. Picture: ASHLEY EARL

Penola v West

BOTH West Gambier and Penola will leave nothing in the tank in the final minor round of the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield which starts tomorrow at McCorquindale Park.

West sits just three points ahead of the Eagles, but a dominant performance from the latter could reverse the standings.

Both are set for a possible playoff in the semi-final hit out – barring an upset result between North Sportsman’s and East Gambier – and whichever side wins will have the advantage of hosting the match, adding a touch more interest to the contest.

The Roos arguably “got lucky” when they battled with an undermanned North Sportsman’s just weeks ago and as a result claimed an unexpected victory.

On the other hand, the Eagles’ last encounter with the Tigers was abandoned due to heat policy, which cost Penola a chance at taking some much-needed points.

West Gambier and Penola have battled in the shorter one-day format so far this season where the Roos had all the answers.

The match was played early in the season when both sides were still finding their feet, but tomorrow’s clash will see both sides looking to take the momentum into the finals series.

The Eagles will have the home-deck advantage on the weekend, which could play in their favour.

However, if the Roos bounce into form it will be an arm-wrestle.

West was without the services of Bowen Hosking in Sunday’s Twenty20 clash, but fell just short of reigning Barber Shield champions North Sportsman’s.

However, the Barber Shield is the pinnacle competition in the South East and the Roos will be hungry to sit in the box seat for a grand final position.

West will look for skipper Niall Easterbrook to lead by example.

However, the captain will hope for a full team effort.

Sam Willis, Jake Blackwell, Richard Crute and Ben Hentschke have all been in form and will aim to bring that into this weekend.

Whether the Roos take to the crease or the field it will need to put in a big effort to gain the upper-hand on a hungry Penola outfit.

The Eagles captain Jase Bateman, Michael Waters, George Kidman and David Somerfield are all coming off a South Australian Senior Country Cup victory in Adelaide and the quartet will aim to bring that same drive and success into Saturday.

All four have the ability to change the game with the bat or ball and Penola will hope to bring momentum early in the two-day clash.

It will all come down to who can claim the upper-hand on day one.

Whether that be Penola or West, this clash promises to showcase both talent and hunger for victory.