Heads to host 2023 Battle of the Bridge

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 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.

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.

Barwon Heads skipper Max Melzer said his squad were aiming to keep up their undefeated start to the year.

“We are really looking forward to the contest this weekend.

“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.

“This game against Ocean Grove is no exception, they have performed consistently for a long time.

“To take part in the enjoyment and satisfaction of playing in a premiership last year, is pretty motivating to strive to get there again.

“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.

“The club has strongly invested our junior program, and we are now seeing the spoils of this work.”

Ocean Grove captain Daniel Roddis said his side was hopeful of taking home Bellarine bragging rights.

“It’s fantastic to have Barwon Heads playing again and having a real local matchup where we just have to pop over the bridge.

“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.

“It’s exciting to be playing them again, we really don’t know what to expect, but are certainly up for the challenge.

“It’s good to be back playing again and we’ve gotten off on the right foot.

“We’ll be looking to really cement a spot up the top this weekend.

“Shaun Fankhauser and Paul Jubber are in great form with the bat and are two to definitely look out for.”