Curban enjoyed a nice run either side of Christmas with a win against Town Services and a fortunate no-result wash-out against Biddon-Tooraweenah respectively in rounds eight and nine of Gilgandra District Cricket Association’s Bendigo Bank ABC Shield action.
USC-Marthaguy also scored an important round eight win on December 21 before enjoying the bye in round nine (January 11).
In the final round before Christmas (round eight), defending premiers USC-Marthaguy (7-198) scored an important win against Gular (9-141).
After being 4-70 in the 21st over at Gulargambone, USC-Marthaguy were able to accelerate thanks a 97-run fifth-wicket partnership between Dudley Shepherd (61) and John Irving (52).
Earlier, Andrew Freeth (20), Tom Maloney (13) and James Glasson (21) had built a foundation for Shepherd and Irving to attack.
Gulargambone’s seven wickets were shared between six bowlers who took one wicket apiece along with one run-out.
Brandon Hammond was Gular’s most economical bowler, his eight overs conceding just 12 runs.
In reply, Gular found themselves in regular trouble and were 6-33 at one stage with only Hammond (23) making an impact in the top order.
However, Grant Milgate (30) and Levi Peters (26) added 66 runs for the seventh wicket and batted together for around 18 overs.
With Slater Peters (17 not out) also making double figures, the home side batted out its 40 overs but remained 57 runs shy of USC-Marthaguy.
Glasson (4-21 off eight overs) and Irving (2-6 off four overs) had the best returns for USC-Marthaguy.
Curban (4-116 in 37. 4 overs) worked hard to secure a six-wicket win against Town Services (111 all out in 32.5 overs) on December 21, 2024.
Town Services batted first and after skipper Ashley Hazelton (23) and Liam Zell (17) provided a solid start, only Dale Parker (39) and Dustin Foran (23) capitalised.
Curban’s wickets were shared around with Jasen Starr (3-23 off eight overs), Doug Kelly (3-27 off 7.5 overs), captain Scott Chandler (2-16 off eight overs) and Anthony Barry (2-24 off six overs) all returning great figures.
With bat, Curban lost their star Kelly in the first over when Adam Hazelton (2-8 off eight overs) struck early.
However, Will Younghusband (42 not out) entered the crease and remained unbeaten in his patient and match-defining innings.
Will Younghusband shared partnerships of 37 with John Bunter (26), 38 with Starr (14) and then a critical unbroken stand of 41 with Stewart Younghusband (20 not out) to guide Curban home.
Ladder leaders Biddon-Tooraweenah had a win on forfeit after Coonabarabran couldn’t field a side in the last set of fixtures for 2024, while Gidgee had the bye.
Curban then had fortune favour them in round nine (January 11) when rain washed-out their clash against Biddon-Tooraweenah at Tooraweenah Oval with the hosts on top.
The Gutterers were 6-39 off 15 overs in reply to Biddon-Tooraweenah’s 8-146 (40 overs) when the heavens opened.
Zac Ferguson (42) and Lachlan Ferguson (37) and were Biddon-Tooraweenah’s best with the bat before Jon Kilby (4-7) and Clint Walker (2-29) ripped through Curban’s top-order in a destructive pair of seven-over spells.
Curban’s best with the ball were Chandler (4-23) and Barry (3-27) but only Kane Younghusband (14) made double figures with the bat.
Elsewhere in round nine, Coonabarabran got back on track in a low-scoring thriller against a 10-player Gidgee at Baradine.
Gidgee were bowled out for 57 in 18.4 overs batting first but Coonabarabran (7-58 in 18.1 overs) only just scraped home.
Elvy McEwen (29) and skipper Mark Stewart (11) made double figures for Gidgee as Osea Brooker (3-13), Ben Hjort (3-16), Jericho Chatfield (2-20) and Cameron Whittall (1-6) bowled out the Gidgee side inside 19 overs.
Chatfield (27 not out) then played a vital hand as Coonabarabran fell to 7-38 before the all-rounder guided them home. Darcy Strong made 10 for the victors.
Dan Smith (5-11) and McEwen (2-14) claimed all of Gidgee’s wickets.
The final match of round nine was between Town Services and Gulargambone at Ernie Knight Oval in Gilgandra saw the visitors claim a narrow win.
Gulargambone (7-113 off 40 overs) held on to defeat Town Services (107 all out in 32 overs).
Preston Ah-See (2-14 off six overs and 48 runs) and Jason Carter (18 and 4-20 off eight overs) had big all-round games for Gular while Levi Peters (2-15 off eight overs) and Grant Milgate (16) chipped in.
For Town Services, there were plenty of starts with the bat, including Ashley Hazelton (26), Kieren Hazelton (25), Alex Sutherland (16), Dale Parker (11) and Mark Temple (10).
Wickets were shared around with Dustin Foran (2-28 off six overs) and Ashley Hazelton (2-18 off eight overs) getting doubles with Temple (1-14 off eight overs), Dale Parker (1-19 off six overs) and Marshall Parker (1-12 off four overs) all bowling economical spells.
Note: Round 10 scores and results from matches played last Saturday (January 18) will appear in next week’s Gilgandra weekly with no matches scheduled this coming weekend.
