PENOLA would still be rightly pleased with itself for claiming the Barber Shield cricket honours last season, after a tough grand final victory over North Sportsman’s.
The Tigers held the upper hand at the end of the minor rounds, finishing top of the ladder, but that meant little as the Eagles pushed their authority in the season decider to break a 28-year drought.
Penola set North 140 runs for victory, aided by a 43-run knock from opener Jack Schulz, 26 in the middle order from George Kidman and 30 down the order from Michael Waters.
That left plenty to do to defend the total of 139, but the Penola bowlers went to work and stifled the North batsmen, bowling them out for 102 in the 62nd over.
The delight was clear after the final as the Eagles celebrated with gusto.
For president Matt Honner the season ahead looks good to defend the crown, with the expectation most senior players will again line up for another tilt at the title.
Honner took the reigns last season, tasting success in his first year at the helm.
It was the ideal start, which he said was an exciting time for the whole club.
“It was unbelievable really for those who have been involved with the club for a long period of time,” Honner said.
“We have not had a B Grade shield in that time either – the only senior success we have had for 28 years was a couple of D Grade and C grade premierships, so it was nice to break a drought of that length.”
Of course now the club has the added pressure to defend its crown, which Honner said would be an interesting scenario for the Eagles.
“That is obviously unfamiliar territory for us,” Honner said.
“But we will try to do the one-two and get the A’s and the B’s there this season.”
Opening bowler Brad Maney is one name that will miss from the lineup, which will have an impact on the Eagles’ bowling attack.
With rumours Dave Somerfield was set to depart, the word is he will be back in the Penola whites, which helps to create a solid base for the season ahead.
However, apart from the playing list, there is plenty of other work that has gone on in preparation for the new season, with the football finished, but the Penola show still to come before the Eagles can host home games.
“We have the pitch in reasonable order already, which is a weight of our minds,” Honner said.
“The footy boys did not destroy that too much and the square is in good condition.
“That should be up and running the week after the Penola show.
“It is a bit of bad timing with the show, but we will fence the pitch off and it should be good.”
Honner said the ground was in such good condition due to a new mower which was purchased with funds raised by the club.
“It is the best mower in the district according to George (Kidman),” he joked.
“It is the biggest purchase in the club’s history by a mile.
“We have an agreement with the footy club that we look after the mowing all year round.
“This new one is easy to use and we should not have a problem with it for years.”
With North sure to want to atone for last year’s grand final and other teams on the improve, the Eagles will certainly have a big task to go back-to-back.
That will be put to the test this weekend with the first game set down against East Gambier.
The Bulldogs also have a similar lineup to last season, with one new addition and a year of extra experience from their younger players.
Both sides will use the season opener as a chance to see where they are at, but the Eagles will certainly be at the pointy end of the competition once more.
Penola’s Junior Blasters program will start at McCorquindale Park on Wednesday October 24 from 4-5pm, with sign-up via the Junior Blasters website, Brett Vaughan on 0401 283 208 or Matt Honner on 0425 444 077.
Under 14 training is at McCorquindale Park from 4-5pm from today.
Senior training is now on a Wednesday at 5:30pm.
