By David Nagel
Kooweerup’s quest for a remarkable ninth Premier Division title since 2010 is about to get serious on Saturday as the Demons square off against their biggest rivals over the three cricket days in January.
The Demons – currently fourth – host arch-rivals Cardinia this week before back-to-back visits to Tooradin and Pakenham complete the one-day facet of their season.
Lose all three, or maybe even two of those high-level contests, and the Demons will more than likely have a unique and unusual view from outside their comfort space of the top four.
But that’s not the way they think at Denhams Road.
It’s more like “let’s win all three and put our undeniable stamp on the competition.”
It’s been that way for years for players like Chris Bright, Jess Mathers, Luke McMaster and Steven Dillon; who have provided the backbone for recent success.
That structure has been added to this season, with Phillip Island all-rounder Shiran Rathnayake becoming an instant hit in the competition, while Ayden Mills and Paul Bright are familiar faces making steady contributions with the bat.
The Demons certainly have the weaponry but, as it currently sits, have only had wins against the bottom three teams on the ladder.
Cardinia, led by former Kooweerup premiership captain Mark Cooper, will be dead keen to keep it that way on Saturday!
Cooper knows every blade of grass at Denhams Road, and the dangers that the Demons present, so it will be very interesting to see how he sets up on the weekend.
Chris Bright and McMaster, in particular, love the tiny square boundaries on their home deck and will have the radar dialled in that direction.
Can Cooper keep his nerve with field settings and, more importantly, can his bowlers support him with a steady line and length.
They will, but not for long enough…it’s the Demons to win handsomely.
In the other highlighted game this week, Clyde and Devon Meadows will battle it out for fifth position at Clyde.
The Cougars have been in ripping form of late, downing Devon Meadows, Merinda Park and Pakenham prior to the Christmas break.
Skipper Trevor Bauer (116), Praveen Perera (107), Kane Avard (67) and Teddy Fonseka (62) have all contributed half centuries or better through that winning run, while Ankush Rana has taken 12 wickets (4, 4 and 4) in his last three games.
This is a huge game for both clubs; but we’ll go for the Cougars to get the choccies at home.
In other games, Pakenham should bounce back to the winners’ list on a visit to Merinda Park, while Upper Beaconsfield will be no match for Tooradin when the Maroons roll out the welcome mat at Stoney Creek Road.
TIPS – ROUND 9: KOOWEERUP v Cardinia, Upper Beaconsfield v TOORADIN, Merinda Park v PAKENHAM, CLYDE v Devon Meadows (3pm).
