By Trevor Jackson
WEST GAMBIER V NORTH SPORTSMAN’S
THE Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield season culminates this weekend with the grand final between West Gambier and North Sportsman’s.
Played at Frew Park, the game promises to be an entertaining clash, providing both sides bring their A games.
For the Roos, it has been an impressive season, with just one loss from their 10 outings.
In an interesting twist, that loss came at the hands of the Tigers, but was a one-day clash back in Round 2.
The Tigers have been on the improve in the second half of the season, with an impressive effort against South Gambier in Round 10.
Chasing 147 for victory, North’s top order, apart from Nicholas Brown, were in fine form.
A near-double-century (191) to Elliott Fisher was the talk of the round, while he was well assisted by Nick McInerney with 87 runs.
Michael Johnston fell one run short of a half-century, while Nicholas Copping also had a solid start with 30 runs.
It set the Tigers up for a big 422-run total, as every player who faced a ball found runs.
Regarding recent form, in the semi-final West easily accounted for Mil Lel, with a century (114) down the order from Sujith Nikethana building the total up nicely.
Both sides certainly have some firepower and will need to be on point from the outset.
Last time the two sides faced off was back in Round 5, with the Roos well on top.
Captain Bray Stephenson led by example, with a handy half-century (79) at number four to keep the runs coming.
Sam Willis joined in and at the end of play was unbeaten on 129.
Three wickets each to McInerney and Tim Young helped subdue the Roos as much as possible, but it left a 303-run target for victory.
The Tigers fell well short of that, out in the 57th over for just 147.
Fisher did what he could, with a handy 52-run knock, but few others contributed.
Stephenson and Justin deJong claimed three wickets each, while Willis and Bailey Rothall bagged two each.
With the ball in hand, the Tigers have some solid strike bowlers, with the experience of captain Mitch Lewis, McInerney and Young.
Fisher has shown ability with bat and ball and is equally capable at both.
With the bat, they can certainly find the runs if all goes well, with the likes of Johnston, Alex Hutton, Fisher and McInerney able to set up an innings.
Lewis can play anywhere on the list, with his ability to bat defensively or up the tempo if fast runs are needed.
Stephenson has plenty of talent at his disposal.
Jayden Prior is a capable young batsman, while Willis has enjoyed an impressive season with bat and ball.
Throw in Nikethana, with that recent late century turning heads, plus the ability of Justin deJong and Nuwan Gunawardana at the top, along with his own ability with bat and ball and Stephenson would certainly be pleased with the lineup at his disposal.
It would appear, on paper and with season form, West is in the box seat to claim the win.
However, cricket can be a fickle game and with the weather thrown in, anything can happen.
Saturday is forecast to reach 41 degrees, which would put paid to any play.
In that case Monday can be used for the second day, unless the game has started and is called off, in which case the remaining overs will be shared and the game completed on Sunday.
Whatever scenario plays out, both teams have to deal with it and adjust their games accordingly.
West should be too strong and claim the premiership honours, but if North’s batting lineup fires, it could go either way.
