Mil Lel v West Gambier


The Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association’s match of the round will take place at Frew Park on Saturday for the final match before the Christmas break, as top of the table Mil Lel hosts a second placed West Gambier.


So far this season has offered up some unpredictable results and Mil Lel’s match against West Gambier will be no exception.


Both sides have looked in red-hot form and it is a match that is sure to be decided by millimetres.


Mil Lel is coming off a big win over Penola during round five, after starting the day 6/66 and requiring 122 runs, Mil Lel smashed past the total and then bowled Penola out again for 79.


While Mil Lel’s match against West Gambier will be a shorter format, the side will still be confident it can take the momentum from last week’s game back to Frew Park.


William Rowland is coming off a match winning 71 for Mil Lel and will be important with bat in hand.


In the bowling department Jack Miller, Toby Grigg and Craig Hicks will work to back up their five-fors from last round.


West Gambier will be hoping for more of the same from Bray Stephenson, who has been in fantastic form this season along with Sam Willis who is coming off a massive undefeated tonne last round.


Justin De Jong is another wicket that Mil Lel will be keen to pick up early after an encouraging start to the season with bat and ball.


While Mil Lel is in good form, West Gambier sent a message to the rest of the competition with its performance in the last round, the Roos will be hard to beat.


North Sportsman’s v East Gambier


North Sportsman’s will hope to bounce back in round six after suffering a massive defeat at the hands of West Gambier last round.


The Tigers will host East Gambier at Marist Park which will prove a tough task against an in-form opponent.


East Gambier captain Alex Hentschke will be a key player once again for his team.


Coming off a tonne and seven wickets, North Sportsman’s will look to limit the impact the skipper can have on the match.


North has looked shaky in recent weeks after an excellent start to the season, it was truly a match to forget last week after West Gambier piled on 302 runs the side was bowled out for 147.


Elliot Fisher and Mitch Lewis were the highlights with the bat, but if the side is to beat East Gambier the pair will need more support from the rest of the batting line-up.


With the match being a one-day game, North Sportsman’s will feel it gives them a slightly better chance. 


The side is undefeated in the one-day format this season and looked tough to beat as it knocked up some competitive totals.


East Gambier will hope for early runs and some more contributions from its top order this season.


With one final game before the break both sides will be desperate to take some winning momentum into the new year.


The winner could potentially jump into the top two which will be a promising place to land before the break.


Penola v South Gambier


Awinless Penola will host fellow cellar dweller South Gambier at McCorquindale Park as the sides battle it out to avoid going into the new year without a win.


Both teams have had tough losses this season. Penola started last weekend in a great position against Mil Lel before being blown out of the water.


South Gambier has struggled with the bat this season and been reliant on a stand-out performance to get a decent total.


Penola has bowled well at times but has struggled to take wickets in the middle overs.


Joshua Doyle and Michael Waters will be the most important players with the ball for Penola, while for South Gambier captain Robert Drenthen will be an impact player.


Jed Sims has shown in previous weeks that he can make an impact with the bat and do it quickly, if Penola can see the back of him early in the innings the side will be in a good position.


Jack Mullan has been a stand-out all season for Penola, after scoring 49 and 58 against Mil Lel he will be feeling confident ahead of the match.


South Gambier will know he is the key wicket early and Penola will need to offer support around him if the side is to score a good total.


Both sides have shown potential this season, however for the team that goes into the Christmas break winless finals will feel like a long shot.


The match offers up a very early season elimination final, as for the winner the season is still going strong, but for the loser it’s a long way back.


Both sides have come close this season but now is their best opportunity to notch up a win and avoid going into the new year without a win.