North has a date with destiny on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Oval when Roopena picks up North's gauntlet and the battle will begin.

Is skipper Matt Quist to get serious at last with North mounting a serious challenge for second spot on the premiership table?

Roopena have played without Greg Fiebig or Waylon Nielsen for some weeks now and are still winning, as they retain second spot, four points clear of North.

North have the talented David Marshall and Josh Ackland as openers to weather Roopena's opening attack of Joey Jaritz and Dale Gericke and provide a launching pad for Quist and Adam Collins to make plenty of runs.

Big scores are what is required from Gilbert Taylor, Matt Kirchner and Jesse O'Keefe to stand up to Roopena's Shane Brown and Tyler Stopp, who will be out to take no prisoners.

Roopena rely heavily on Dale Chenoweth and Ben Hogan with support from the out of form Ryan Burgess and Daniel Ivanovic to take on the North bowling attack led by Jake Gericke, Dale Raymond and Shaun Taylor, who are due for a big return of wickets to set North on the road to victory.

Quist can be a match winner, but like everything else you need other teammates to respond positively as Roopena can be beaten.

Brown and Hogan need Roopena players to answer any serious offence North can make to ensure Roopena keep winning preventing a much needed North revival.