THE captains of the Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads Cricket Club are revved up for a blockbuster clash three years in the making.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow (Saturday, October 21), the two Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association sides will go head-to-head in the Battle of the Bridge at Barwon Heads Village Park.<\/p>\n
The one-day match will mark the first time the cross-bridge rivals will play each other in three years, following Barwon Heads’ elevation from Division 2 to Division 1 at the end of the 2022-23 season.<\/p>\n
Barwon Heads go into the match undefeated after wins over Jan Juc and Inverleigh, while Ocean Grove are 1-1 on the season and is coming off a loss to Armstrong Creek.<\/p>\n
Barwon Heads skipper Max Melzer said his squad were aiming to keep up their undefeated start to the year.<\/p>\n
“We are really looking forward to the contest this weekend.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great feeling to be back playing in A1 and in such an even competition, where you can’t afford to have aflat week.<\/p>\n
“This game against Ocean Grove is no exception, they have performed consistently for a long time.<\/p>\n
“To take part in the enjoyment and satisfaction of playing in a premiership last year, is pretty motivating to strive to get there again.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got a young group, who have come on a bit of a journey, after some lean years, that are pretty hungry for more success.<\/p>\n
“The club has strongly invested our junior program, and we are now seeing the spoils of this work.”<\/p>\n
Ocean Grove captain Daniel Roddis said his side was hopeful of taking home Bellarine bragging rights.<\/p>\n
“It’s fantastic to have Barwon Heads playing again and having a real local matchup where we just have to pop over the bridge.<\/p>\n
“They haven’t been in Division 1 for the past few years, however, have just won the league last year, so are in good form.<\/p>\n
“It’s exciting to be playing them again, we really don’t know what to expect, but are certainly up for the challenge.<\/p>\n
“It’s good to be back playing again and we’ve gotten off on the right foot.<\/p>\n
“We’ll be looking to really cement a spot up the top this weekend.<\/p>\n
“Shaun Fankhauser and Paul Jubber are in great form with the bat and are two to definitely look out for.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE captains of the Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads Cricket Club are revved up for a blockbuster clash three years in the making. Tomorrow (Saturday, October 21), the two Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association sides will go head-to-head in the Battle of the Bridge at Barwon Heads Village Park. The one-day match will mark the first […]<\/p>\n