South Gambier v East Gambier


South Gambier is still searching for its first win of the season after a tough Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association round four match against Mil Lel.


But now the side returns to its home turf at Blue Lake Sports Park to play an East Gambier side that will also be desperate to get a win on the board.


South Gambier has been outplayed in every match this season despite some promising signs throughout the games.


It fell five runs short of West Gambier and had Mil Lel in a vulnerable position before the side built a strong partnership which South could not break.


Building partnerships is a concern for East Gambier heading into round five, during the side’s match against West Gambier it was also able to develop one significant partnership all day, however the Doggies will know they have the batsmen to do it with plenty of runs available in the lineup.


With Connor Little coming off an impressive knock of 43 the lineup looks even more damaging if the side can fire on all cylinders.


The wickets South Gambier will be most hoping to get should the side bowl will be of the dangerous Emerson Marks and reliable Dion Stratford, the pair are proven run scorers even if it’s been a slow start to the season for Marks.


The key wickets for East Gambier will be Stephen Easterbrook and Adam Kuhl.


After a brilliant 40 against Mil Lel, Kuhl was a highlight for South in a tough innings.


East Gambier will believe it has the side to keep South Gambier winless, but the Demons are on the hunt for the winning feeling and anything is possible.
Mil Lel v Penola


Penola remains winless after its round four game against North Sportsman’s was abandoned and will now face top of the table Mil Lel in a must win match.


As the teams enter the halfway point of the home and away season Penola will be aware it cannot go into the second half of the season without a win if the side wishes to challenge for finals.


Mil Lel has been excellent so far, apart from a lacklustre innings with the bat against North Sportsman’s it has looked a far and away better side than the one which finished last the previous season.


The Penola batsmen will have a tough task against the Mil Lel attack, captain Jack Miller and Harry Hicks have proved dangerous with the new ball, while Mitchell Little has been masterful in cleaning up the tail this season.


Michael Waters and Joshua Doyle will be the key players with ball in hand for Penola and if the Mil Lel openers can survive the pair’s initial spells they could capitalise and score big.


For a quick start with the bat Penola will be relying on Jack Mullan and Lewis March as the openers, the pair has shown glimpses early in the season but neither has gone on to score big.


Penola will also have Drew Clayfield and Michael Waters who can score big when needed in the top order.


Mil Lel is full of confidence after a good start to its season, but despite having not won a game Penola will believe it can cause an upset, it will be requiring early wickets though and building big partnerships.
North Sportsman’s v West Gambier


North Sportsman’s will host West Gambier at Marist Park as the Tigers hope to remain undefeated this season, while West will be looking to add a third win to its tally.


North Sportsman’s was staring down its first loss last round however the recent bad weather helped the side avoid what was looking like a tough defeat.


However the match was not over and the side still had the capability to win and it will be wanting to prove itself to the rest of the competition with a win over West Gambier.


West Gambier has two wins to its name this year both coming against East Gambier, when it faced North in round two the side was beaten comfortably thanks to an excellent effort from the North bowling attack.


West Gambier’s batsmen will be cautious knowing the depth of the Tigers attack which includes Nick McInerney, Delcan Kenny, Isaac Mulraney and Elliot Fisher.


But West Gambier has the batting depth to counter it, with a dangerous top order and a middle order which can cause problems and West will believe it can bat long should it be required too.


North Gambier will enter the match believing it is a slight favourite having got the job done on West Gambier just two rounds earlier, but the match has the possibility of going either way and it could come down to one big performance snatching the win for a side.