MOUNT Gambier and District Cricket Association has reached the pinnacle of the 2017-18 season, with the Barber Shield grand final to take place this weekend.
North Sportsman’s will aim to defend its title against a tough Penola outfit.
For the Eagles it will be the first appearance in a grand final since the 1990-91 season.
For the Tigers it is simply more of the same, but with some extra incentive at the end of the weekend.
North was dealt a blow in the Twenty20 final this season, defeated by South Gambier and will want to bounce back and reclaim their dominance in the association.
For Penola it has been a few seasons of building, which has led to the current scenario, which sees them challenge what has been the dominant force in the competition for several seasons.
It adds up to the classic David and Goliath battle and anyone’s guess who will emerge victorious.
On paper North has a bullet-proof roster, with a strong batting line up and bowling attack.
However, some weakness has been shown in recent rounds, even with a solid victory over South in the semi-final last weekend.
While the Tigers won the game convincingly, that was largely due to two players – openers Matt McInerney and Jake Schutz.
McInerney fell short of a half-century on 40 runs, while Schutz went on to make and impressive century with 116.
Apart from Gavin Coon and Nick McInerney both reaching 25 runs, there was little else on show with the bat.
A couple of ducks and some low single-figure scores would surely give the Eagles something to think about.
In contrast, Penola needed just three wickets to reach the required total against West Gambier in the remaining semi-final.
It was a simple formality, with the Roos bowled out for 86 runs.
Jack Mullan and Jake Schulz set the win up with a 43-run opening stand and from there it all went the Eagles way.
Penola’s bowling attack was too strong for the Roos, with that same intensity required this weekend if the Eagles are to claim the honours.
However, the North bowling attack is just as strong, with plenty of good performances throughout the season.
While last time the two sides met, Mother Nature intervened, the Round 3 clash could be an indication of what to expect in the grand final.
It was the ball that dominated, with North batting first, all out in the 47th over for just 102 runs.
Matt McInerney top scored with 35, while there was not much else to talk about, apart from Coon’s 29 down the order.
Curt Evans and David Somerfield claimed three wickets each, with Conrad Slabber and George Kidman sharing the remaining four.
It appeared to be a simple target for first-innings points for the Eagles, but Josh Fidler stood tall with the ball for North, ripping through the Penola batting line up to the tune of 6/35 off 20 overs.
However, Fidler appears to be out, with injury apparently ending his season only last week, which could be a blow to the Tigers.
In the end the Eagles fell short, all out after 46 overs for just 88 runs.
The fickle nature of this season was on display when the Tigers returned to the crease, finishing the day at 5/162 from 60 overs.
Penola certainly has the ability to amass a winning score, with a solid top order consisting of the likes of Bateman, Schulz, Mullan, Somerfield, Kidman, Lewis March and even Mark Smith, who could all justify a spot at the pointy end of the batting line up.
However, going on season runs, Somerfield sits at the top of the pile, with a handy 82, but you have to search deeper down the list to find a few more half-centuries, including Bateman, Schulz and Smith.
If they can pull it all together this weekend, anything is possible.
For North the list is more impressive, with Matt McInerney heading the association with 132 against Mil Lel back in Round 1, while Schutz joins the list with two centuries.
From there the half-centuries pile up, with Schutz featuring regularly.
The key to a victory for Penola is quite simply the ball.
If the Eagles’ bowlers can gain the upper hand early in the contest, the advantage will certainly be in their favour.
Should they win the toss, bowling first would be a wise decision.
If the tables are turned and North takes to the field first, the contest will certainly be up in the air.
Even without Fidler in the line up, the Tigers other main-strike bowlers are up to the task, which the Eagles will have to be wary of.
If all goes well it should provide a fitting finish to the season, with the Tigers starting as hot favourites and the Eagles very capable of an upset win.
