By Lachlan Onions
THE Barber Shield clash between South Gambier and East Gambier remains firmly in the balance and an entertaining finale could take place this Saturday at Alan Scott Park.
The Demons made it through Day 1 without being bowled out and posted a competitive 9/214 at the end of the 80 overs.
Stephen Easterbrook was the standout performer and scored 53 runs last week, while Michael Sims also impressed with an unbeaten 44.
This weekend, South will look to Elwood Geary, Jakob Opie, Camron Jorgensen and Robbie Drenthen to do the damage with the ball.
Drenthen has claimed 17 scalps at an average of 12.06 this season, while Opie, Jorgensen and Geary have combined for 35 wickets.
East Gambier will have plenty of work to do with the bat to surpass South’s total and withstand its impressive fast-bowling cartel.
Dion Stratford will be a pivotal player with the bat and has the ability to change the momentum off a clash on his own.
Back in Round 1, Stratford scored a ton against the Demons and will need to put in a similar performance this weekend.
He has scored an impressive 264 runs this campaign at an average of 44.
The Bulldogs will also turn to Emerson Marks and Alex Hentschke to provide with the bat.
Marks has scored 224 runs at 28 this season and while Hentschke’s renowned for his ability with the ball, he is also very handy with the bat and has scored 202 runs at an average of 25.25 this year.
After an impressive first day, South will be the more confident side with runs on the board but in a contest between two finals contenders, this clash could still go either way.
