Sharks and Tigers return to Spring Creek Reserve for bridge battle

A RIVALRY spanning four decades will again take the wicket as the two towns on each side of the Spring Creek Bridge prepare to do battle on January 2.

The annual Battle of the Bridge grudge match to determine local bragging rights between the Geelong Cricket Association’s Torquay Tigers and the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association’s Jan Juc Sharks will open the new year at Spring Creek Reserve.

Torquay captain Terry Hill said he and his side would aim to keep the Battle of the Bridge trophy at Spring Creek Reserve for another year following the Tigers’ win at the start of the year, but said the day never fails to bring the two townships together for a day of good-hearted competitiveness.

“It’s been a terrific community day for as long as I’ve been around and it’s just good to get the two sides together for a bit of fun as well.

“We love to have a little brag throughout the day, but we also like to have a laugh and share a beer at the end of it too.

“I think that’s what it is mostly about at the end of the day, just having fun.”

Jan Juc import Luke Edwards will take over the captaincy role from Nick Hyden when he participates in his first bridge battle.

The fill-in skipper noted his side fully intended to bring the trophy back to Jan Juc.

“It should be good fun, but hopefully, we can still take home that trophy, I wouldn’t mind the bragging rights considering only a bridge separates the two teams,” Edwards said.

“I will certainly share a beer after the game, but the boys and I would still like to win.”

Before the main game between both teams’ First XIs, the day will open with the annual Legends Game, featuring past players from both clubs.

Official start times will be released in the coming week on both clubs’ Facebook pages.