South Gambier vs West Gambier


South Gambier will host West Gambier in an incredibly important round three Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association Barber Shield match for the Demons as they attempt to secure their first win of the season.

West Gambier will also be looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to North Sportsman’s in round two.

After a big win against East Gambier, the Roos struggled with the bat with only three players making more than 10 runs against North.

More West Gambier batters will be needing to find form in the middle if it is to be a dangerous side this season.

South Gambier has also experienced some issues with the bat having not passed 100 this season.

The Demons will certainly require an improvement at the crease if they are to turn their fortune and find their first win of the season.

One big partnership could be all it takes to give South some confidence for this season.

South Gambier’s bowlers will hope to find better form as it is one of only two teams to not take 10 wickets in the first two matches.

Stephen Easterbrook and Robert Drenthen will be the likely candidates to stand up for the Demons, the pair started off with a 50 run opening stand against East Gambier, before they were both out in quick succession.

If one of them can go on to score big it could go a long way for South Gambier to get the result.

West’s captain Bray Stephson has led from the front with the bat and looked in good form so far this season.

West will feel confident it can get the result against a struggling South Gambier side, however the Roos will be wary of a Demons side desperate for a win.


North Sportsman’s v Mil Lel


The two inform sides in the competition will face off in round three as North Sportsman’s hosts Mil Lel at Marist Park.

It’s been a surprising start from both teams as after missing out on finals last season North and Mil Lel look the best two teams from the opening rounds.

North Sportsman’s batting lineup has been strong so far scoring more than 150 in both matches, with Mil Lel the only other side to achieve that.

Nick McInerney has been a dangerous player with bat in hand as usual, scoring two 40s in the first two matches.

Mil Lel has had good contributions from a number of batters, with players standing up when required.

Jack Miller has taken some important wickets this season for Mil Lel and if he can get some early breakthroughs North could be held to a low total.

Declan Kenny will be a danger man for the Tigers with the ball after taking four wickets against West Gambier.

Mil Lel’s batting lineup will be hoping to stop Kenny having the impact he has had in previous weeks on Saturday.

The winner of the match will see its side sitting first as the two day matches begin which will be a big confidence booster ahead of the longer form matches.

It will be an excellent test for both sides to prove they are the real deal, will the Tigers bowling attack prove to be deadly or Mil Lel nullify North’s big scorers?

The toss will be a crucial battle with no team so far in any of the six games played able to defend its score, so whoever wins can be expected to bowl first and attempt to chase whatever total the opposition sets.

Penola v East Gambier

Penola is still searching for its first win of the season as it hosts East Gambier at McCorquindale Park.

The Eagles’ season has failed to launch in the first two matches and will hope they can turn things around against the reigning premiers on Saturday.

East Gambier is back on the winners’ list after losing its first match and will be hoping to build some form early in the season.

Penola will feel like it has played better than the results have shown, the batting lineup has performed well, but needs more help from the bowling attack.

Penola is the only side to have conceded two scores of more than 150 in the first two matches.

If the bowling line up can tighten up then it could be a good chance of getting the win.

East Gambier has also had problems, however its issues lie in the batting lineup.

With scores of 100 and 121 East Gambier will need to get more runs this week against a side that has not had many issues scoring big so far.

Captain Alex Hentschke has been handy with the bat for East Gambier but has required more support.

Dion Stratford was also excellent with the bat last week scoring 44 not out and will be an important wicket for Penola.

The one wicket East Gambier will be hopeful to take early will be Jack Mullan, who has had two good starts before being dismissed.

If Mullan can go on from a quick start he could help build a match winning total.

East Gambier has looked shaky so far this season, and Penola has leaked runs.

Both sides will have lots to prove when they meet on Saturday for round 3 of the Barber Shield.