East Gambier v Penola
Possibly the most interesting game for the first round back of Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association action will occur between second and third placed sides at Allan Scott Park on Saturday.
East Gambier will play host to Penola as both teams look to get off to a positive start for the new year.
East will be wary of Penola’s Lachy Jones after he ripped through them taking a five wicket haul last time the two sides met in round 5, in which Penola claimed the points.
Penola will hope to neutralise the threat of Dion Stratford who currently leads the run scoring for the Barber Shield with 238 runs at an average of 59, including 68 against Penola in round 5.
East Gambier also has the leading wicket taker, with captain Alex Hentschke taking 15 wickets from East’s five games.
Both sides currently have three wins to their name, meaning a victory could potentially see them move to the top spot as long as South Gambier is victorious over West Gambier.
The other side faces the potential of dropping out of the top four altogether.
It is sure to be an enthralling contest between two of the Barber Shield’s strongest sides when they face off on Saturday too see which team prevails.
West Gambier v South Gambier
West Gambier will host South Gambier at Malseed Park on Saturday as they look to keep their position on top of the ladder.
West Gambier will look to improve on its last result against South, having suffered its first and only defeat to South last time the two sides met in round five at Blue Lake Sports Park.
Round 5 was a two-day match in which West is yet to score more than 100.
The game will be interesting as South has struggled in the one day games, only beating a struggling Mil Lel side, with the rest of their wins coming from two day games.
Both sides will be desperate for a win with a loss for South potentially dropping them out of the top four with only three home and away games to go.
For West, a loss means it will most likely drop from top to whoever wins the Penola v East Gambier game, but a win will guarantee another week at the top.
North Gambier v Mil Lel
North Gambier will host Mil Lel at Marist Park on Saturday for an important game for both sides.
For North Gambier it is a chance to go inside the top four for the first time this season after remaining winless until round 5, but North has fought back well not losing a game since.
Mil Lel remains winless and a finals campaign for the side looks all but impossible, however a win against a side that had beaten them comfortably already this season may be a good chance to build some confidence for future seasons.
In the final one day game for the season both sides will be hoping to begin the year on the right foot with a victory.
North will be considered strong favourites, but Mil Lel will fancy their chances of an upset victory.
The Marist Park pitch will be sure to provide for an exciting contest between bat and ball, with two teams desperate for a victory.
