By Lachlan Onions
EAST Gambier will host North Sportsman’s this Saturday and and will look to pick up where it left off in Round 1 of the Hoggies Wines Barber Shield.
There is much unknown about the Tigers this year after the first two rounds have been heavily rain-affected.
Round 1 saw just 27 overs played at McCorquindale Park before the game was abandoned before Round 2 was called off for all teams due to the wet weather.
North made its way to 6/79 against Penola before the game ended abruptly.
Michael Johnston top-scored with 22 runs and will look to have an impact on Saturday should the weather allow play.
For the Bulldogs, they enter this clash after a strong win in Round 1 where Dion Stratford stole the show with his century to steer his side to victory.
Alex Hentschke also made an impact with both bat and ball, as he backed up his three wickets in the first inning with an important 28 runs with the bat.
After taking 30 wickets last season, Hentschke will be at the forefront of the Tigers’ batters minds when they head to the crease.
Nick McInerney will look to kickstart his season on Saturday after a disappointing performance in Round 1 where he managed just 10 runs.
McInerney averaged 36.29 with the bat last year and 25 with the ball and his presence will likely be felt in both innings at Alan Scott Park.
In the two meetings between the Tigers and Bulldogs last campaign, the Tigers claimed the victory on both occasions.
Declan Kenny and McInerney both posted half-centuries in the first clash, while Hentshcke and Liam Turley combined for seven wickets.
McInerney also grabbed three wickets in the second inning as his side win by seven runs in Round 5 of the 2021/22 season.
The second fixture saw North Sportsman’s win another thriller, this time by eight runs.
Isaac Mulraney was the key player in the contest as he took 5/14 including the game-winning wicket.
This game is will likely be another close contest and East Gambier will go into this game as slight favourites in a game which could easily go either way.
