By Trevor Jackson
BARBER Shield cricket continues this weekend with a one-day fixture for Round 2 of the season.
Frew Park comes into play, as Mil Lel hosts Penola.
The oval and wicket are in impeccable conditions, with no excuses providing the weather holds out.
The home side will have a tough task on its hands, but after posting 156 runs last week against West Gambier, can not be taken lightly.
However, the top order will need to create a strong foundation, with Henry Smith the star of the innings last week down the order, with a timely 59.
In the middle order Darcy Williamson righted the ship with his 40 runs, but the top order did little to contribute.
Penola was in good form with bat and ball, as Josh Doyle and Michael Waters caused the North Sportsman’s batsmen all kinds of pain.
Chasing down 126 runs, Penola lost just three wickets in the chase, with Lewis march setting the bar with an unbeaten half-century opening knock.
East Gambier will like its chances against West Gambier at Scott Park after a tough win against South Gambier on the road last week.
It was a half-century to Steven Cameron which set the win up, with his 70 runs going a long way to seeing the Bulldogs reach 158 runs and a victory.
Alex Hentschke was the wrecking ball, claiming three cheap wickets to close the South bats down and limit their damage.
However, West also comes off a win, with a victory over Mil Lel at Masleed Park.
The likes of Justin DeJong, Sam Willis and Kyal Chapman all proved pivotal in limiting the damage with the ball, despite a lapse mid-way through the innings.
Chasing 156, West made hard work of it, with several batsmen making starts, but no big scores.
The win came and will provide some confidence heading into Round 2.
The final game sees North host South at Marist Park, undoubtedly one of the most attractive grounds in the region.
But aesthetics aside, North will need to dig deep to claim the win, despite both sides losing their opening-round matches.
South would be disappointed to have lost the opening match against East, after reaching a defendable 152 runs.
South relied on a half-century from Dave Somerfield at the top of the order, while through the middle just James Dunn scored any runs of note.
It was a similar scenario for North against Penola.
The Tigers could only amass 126 runs off a 45-run opening knock from Nick McInerney, plus a half-century from Jake Schutz in the middle order.
The North bowlers could not contain Penola in the run chase and will need to lift to keep the Demons in check.
All games start at 1pm.
