Sport
Allan Matheson Shield | Kyabram looks to keep good times rolling as Shepparton Park comes to town
Kyabram enters round eight of the Allan Matheson Shield season a team firing on all cylinders.
Currently sitting second on the ladder, the Bombers have claimed four wins from five starts this season, with their new-look cast of stars continuing to grow with every passing week.
No test seems too much for this squad to handle at the moment and it will ride that wave of momentum into an intriguing clash against third-placed Shepparton Park on Saturday afternoon.
A chance to solidify its spot in the top two, Kyabram selector Glenn Fields said his team expected a tough challenge against an in-form Park unit.
“It is always a tough contest against Shepparton Park and no division one match can be taken lightly, so we’ll have to be at our best from the start,” Fields said.
“They have some very dangerous combinations that will definitely test us and from memory they rolled us last year, so we’ll be looking to get them back.
“It will be crucial for us to get off to a good start with our front end, put some pressure on them early which then allows our skips to go to work.”
In terms of the vibe among the group, Fields said spirits could not be higher leading into this clash, especially after playing alongside the ‘’GOAT’’ Alex Marshall last Friday night.
“As a group we are just in a wonderful place, so we just need to keep it rolling in the lead up to Christmas,” he said.
“We’ve just moved the side around a little bit again with Alex (Marshall) going out, so Connor (Trewren’s) rink will go back to normal.
“It’s nice to have that luxury of flipping the side around and testing new combinations, which is what this part of the season is all about.”
Park on the other hand will see this as an opportunity to prove that it can compete with the top sides, after it was embarrassed by ladder-leader Shepparton Golf a fortnight ago.
Team manager Ash Williamson said he was expecting a tough battle at Kyabram, but did not write off his side’s chances of producing an upset.
“We’re under no illusions in regards to the task ahead, especially given the fact that Kyabram probably should have beaten Golf a few weeks ago and have been undefeated since,” Williamson said.
“I think their depth across the board, especially with their skips and thirds, definitely far outweighs what we’ve got.
“It’s going to be a very tough, but exciting challenge for our guys going over there, I think if we go in with the mindset of taking a couple of rinks that’s a good place to start.”
This will be the first of back-to-back clashes between Kyabram and Park due to the rescheduling of earlier rounds in the season.
Elsewhere, Tallygaroopna will be itching to bounce back from its tight loss to Shepparton Golf last weekend as it plays host to Tatura-Hill Top.
Currently sitting in fourth spot, Mark Ryan and his Redlegs squad will see this as a great opportunity to catapult back into top-two contention and regain a bit of confidence moving into Christmas.
While the Bulldogs will be desperate to make amends for what was a horror show at Shepparton Park last week and show that they are competing for that prized fourth spot.
Shepparton Golf will be eyeing off a sixth straight victory to start the season as it plays host to a winless Mooroopna.
And Stanhope will be looking to continue its charge towards fourth spot as it plays host to East Shepparton.