Picture: JAMES MURPHY
A CLASSIC battle beckons heading into the final day of the round 10 Barber Shield clash between North Sportsman’s and Penola which resumes tomorrow at Marist Park.
A consistent Penola bowling performance saw the Tigers bowled out for an under-par 163 before the Eagles lost both their openers to finish an entertaining day’s play at 2/30.
Jase Bateman (3) and David Somerfield (5) are the not-out batsmen who will look to ease their side’s nerves with a strong partnership to begin the session.
With hot conditions expected, it will be a day of toil for the North fielders who must take early wickets to stay alive, with only 133 runs to play with.
The key wicket will be Somerfield who has been the backbone of the Eagles’ batting line up this season, amassing a huge 355 runs in just his last two red-ball fixtures.
The Tigers can not afford to give Somerfield a sniff, or else it will be a long day in the field and hopes of a victory on home soil will slip fast.
Late on the first day, North quick Tim Young sparked the home side to life with a double-strike which saw both the openers fall before stumps.
He will look to add more victims to his tally tomorrow.
The Tigers certainly possess an attack which has the potential to expose a relatively unproven Penola middle order, but in batting-friendly conditions it will be tough.
With the minor premiership up for grabs, there is plenty to play for tomorrow – weather permitting – in the final minor-round game of the season.
