Souths’ big challenge
Magpies preparing for a test
CRICKET: Southern Districts can send a message to the rest of the Harding-Madsen Shield competition this week when travelling to Ipswich.
The Magpies face a daunting trip to Limestone Park tomorrow to take on an undefeated Central Districts side, who can wrap up a finals berth with victory.
With rain and byes impacting the early rounds of the inter-district competition, Southern Districts sit in second behind Central and captain Jason Fenwick hopes his side can lift for the challenge.
“We’re very well aware that this is probably going to be our toughest game, especially so early in the season,” Fenwick said.
“I haven’t tried to plan it out too much yet, but we’ll just go through our own processes and make sure we do everything right.
“If we do, we can beat anyone on our day. We’ll try not to worry about them too much and focus on what worked for us in game one.”
Souths showed signs of promise in their opening round victory over Lockyer, before a bye weekend and rain cancellation halted their momentum.
“It’s very frustrating to play a game, then get a week off, then come back and have another washout,” Fenwick said.
“It’s been three weeks since we’ve played a game of cricket and it feels like we’re starting fresh.”
The Magpies again possess a young squad, and Fenwick believes that getting quality senior cricket under the belt will continue to see them excel.
“There are a few fresh faces in our team and it would’ve been great to have had them play last week, but that’s beyond our control,” he said.
“I believe this young group is talented, and with a few older heads in the side to mentor them, we’re hoping they can breath some new life into us, and develop into good young cricketers for Souths.”
Closer to home, Highfields-Railways look to get on the board when hosting defending premiers Western Districts at Highfields Sports Park, University welcome South East to USQ, Metropolitan-Easts tackle Brothers at Harristown Park, and Northern Brothers Diggers face off against Lockyer at Rockville Oval.
Play starts tomorrow at 10am.