Sport
15 March, 2025
Bendigo bank ABC Shield
'Fielding delivers grand final spot for Town Services over Curban' continued.
“Andrew (Peart) and Greg (Young-husband) got us back into it a little bit, but then it fell away again,” Curban’s Scott Chandler said.
Needing to score 64 runs to wins to win, Ashley Hazelton said small chases can be hard and there was no pre-conceived plan of how to attack this one. “To be honest I wasn’t quite sure how to approach the run chase. It definitely wasn’t to get it over and done with as quick as possible,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure we turned over the strike, run hard between the wickets and not miss out on any loose deliveries.”
Liam Zell (22) again played a key finals knock to do most of the scoring in a damaging opening partnership with Hazelton of 36.
Greg Younghusband (2-10 off 2.5 overs) trapped Zell leg before wicket, before skipper Hazelton (35) steered Town Services close to the target.
Younghusband was able to dismiss the Town Services captain caught and bowled to make it 2-61, but Kieren Hazelton (one not out) picked up a single in the 12th over before Basham collected a boundary to finish four not out and seal Town Services’ strong win, finishing at 2-66. “They didn’t really give us a chance,” Chandler said. “They (Liam Zell and Ashley Hazelton) both batted really well and took the game away from us quickly.”
The victory sets up a 2024/2025 GDCA grand final between Biddon-Tooraweenah and Town Services.
Town have beaten Biddon-Toora twice this season but Town are set to be without Liam Zell, Kieren Hazelton and Jarryd Eason in the decider due to Zell’s wedding at Coffs Harbour.
However, skipper Ashley Hazelton was philosophical about missing the trio. “It opens up an opportunity for a few others to contribute that may have missed out,” he said. “I’m glad I haven’t had to make a decision on who was going to miss out because it’s probably the toughest part for anyone in my position.”
Chandler felt his side missed a good opportunity to qualify for the decider when it couldn’t chase down 8-112 against Biddon-Tooraweenah in the qualifying final on March 1, Curban being dismissed for 103 in a thriller.
As for the decider, Scott Chandler predicts a close contest.
