WHILE the Mount Gambier and District cricket Twenty20 Big Bash suffered a big hit last night, with all games called off due to the weather, tomorrow’s Barber Shield fixture is set to go ahead – at this stage.
It has been a tough start to the season so far, but should games be played, Round 6 will provide some interesting contests in a one-day format.
East Gambier will host Mil Lel at Scott Park, with the Bulldogs keen to chalk up a win.
Apart from a tie in Round 1 against Penola, there has been little joy for East.
From there they suffered losses to North Gambier, South Gambier and Mil Lel, before Mother Nature intervened in Round 5.
Last time against Mil Lel in Round 4 it was a case of two contrasting efforts with the bat.
The first innings saw East bowled out for just 78 runs in the 37th over.
Mil Lel claimed the first-innings points for that one, but in the second innings the Bulldogs found some form.
A half-century (53) to Emerson Marks, plus 49 down the order from Nathan Gore provided a more-respectable 180 runs.
But the damage had been done, with no time left in the game to achieve anything more.
Similarly Mil Lel has little to show for its season so far, with just the one victory.
Even that first-innings win showed a less-than-ideal performance with the bat, with the side out for 126 in the 56th over.
No batsman passed 30 runs, with just three in double figures.
East would surely have to start as favourite for this clash, with a chance to move off the bottom of the ladder hinging on a victory, but there is no reason Mil Lel can not chalk up another win, with the psychological advantage.
South hosts Penola at Blue Lake Sports Park in what could be an interesting contest.
The Demons have managed two wins, but last time against Penola were very ordinary.
A first-innings total of just 59 put the writing on wall early, although they did manage to bowl the Eagles out for 144 in 52 overs.
But the second innings continued the trend, with South managing just 46 runs in 26 overs.
While Penola’s batting effort was less than ideal, a half-century (57) to Dave Somerfield was a highlight.
Lewis March and Jase Bateman both had starts, but there was little else to talk about.
However, the Eagles have claimed a win in every game, apart from the tie in Round 1 and the washed-out draw in the last fixture.
They start as hot favourites, but the Demons are better at the shorter-format game and could take the challenge right up to the Eagles.
Finally North Sportsman’s host West Gambier at Marist Park in what should be a foregone conclusion.
West does sit third on the ladder with two victories, but the Tigers will simply be too strong.
Last time against the Roos, centuries to Jake Schutz and Mitch Lewis heralded a huge 325-run total.
West was never in the run, with early wickets piling on the pressure.
Jake Blackwell and Sam Willis did their best towards the top of the order, with Ben Hentschke, Josh Cornolo and Nick Bone reaching double figures in the middle to bottom order.
But it was simply too big a target to reach, with the Roos all out for just 130 runs.
North will start clear favourite and should have no problem dispatching West on their home deck.
Weather permitting, all games are scheduled to start at 1pm.
