Cats and Dogs ready to fight

Dion Stratford Crop  TBW Newsgroup

Dion Stratford Crop  TBW Newsgroup
SOLID FORM: East Gambier’s Dion Stratford has been on top of his game this season and he will look to lead his side to a second consecutive victory against North Sportsman’s at Scott Park tomorrow in round four of Barber Shield cricket. Picture: THOMAS MILES

THE final game of the fourth Barber Shield cricket round will begin tomorrow between East Gambier and North Sportsman’s at Scott Park.

The two-day match will be completed on Sunday after the rivals agreed to move the fixture to this weekend.

It looms as a big clash, with two of the competition’s best batsmen going head to head.

Dion Stratford will lead the charge for the home side and look to continue his impressive form.

Stratford was at his best against Mil Lel with a controlled 56 not out, which ensured the Bulldogs chased down a tricky target.

The prolific Jake Schutz will be the top Tiger and he will hope to rediscover his touch when he faces an opposition he has enjoyed previous success against.

Schutz scored a mammoth 224 runs last time he played East and will look to bounce back after North’s scratchy start to an interrupted season.

The Tigers have struggled to build partnerships with the bat so far and experienced players such as Mitch Lewis, Aidan Thatcher and Kayne Badman will be hungry to spend more time in the middle.

North’s bowling attack has continued to impress despite limited opportunities.

In its one completed innings with the ball, the Tigers almost defended 120 against South, despite the opposition once cruising at a comfortable 2/94.

The likes of Tim Young, Declan Kenny, Badman and Nick McInerney will be tough to score against with the red ball in hand.

But East’s batsmen will be confident after their impressive run chase, as Stratford found strong support from Darren Whitehorn, Matthew Hastings and Alex Hentschke.

The Bulldogs’ bowling line up has appeared dangerous and they will like their chances in home conditions.

If the Tigers’ batsmen can rediscover their touch, North could return to its dominant best, but East will believe it has the talent to defeat the reigning premier.