Just 11 points separates top from bottom place in the 2024/2025 Bendigo Bank ABC Shield after a remarkable set of results in round 12 on Saturday, February 8.
With seven points available for any win and three for a loss, it makes the final two regular season rounds of the Gilgandra District Cricket Association competition highly exciting as most sides can still make the top four if they both win their remaining matches and have other results go their way.
Biddon-Tooraweenah put itself back on top of the table cemented its finals place with a seven-wicket win against Gidgee at Coonamble, while USC-Marthaguy defeated Coonabarabran by 32 runs in another low-scoring clash at Warren and a brilliant unbeaten century from Preston Ah-See steered Gulargambone to an 80-run success against Curban in Gilgandra.
Biddon-Tooraweenah regained top place on the ladder after a brilliant bowling and fielding performance led to a clinical seven-wicket away win against Gidgee at Coonamble Sportsground.
Gidgee won the toss and batted but Biddon-Tooraweenah were dominant with the ball to dismiss the hosts for just 54 in 21.3 overs.
Jon Kilby (4-12) and Paul Lambell (3-24) were lethal in eight-over spells before Oscar Spora (1-4 off three overs) and Clint Walker (2-14 off 2.3 overs) mopped up the tail.
Only Blake Chapman (15) and Andrew Peacock (14) made double figures for Gidgee.
After creating pressure with a such a disciplined ad skilled bowling and fielding effort, Biddon-Tooraweenah were not going to let go of their advantage and batted responsibly to ensure victory.
Paul Lambell (16 not out) and Jaimie Zell (two not out) were at the crease when the winning runs were scored while Will Lambell (14) and Lachlan Ferguson (11) also made double figures.
Gidgee tried hard with the ball and Tyne Chapman (1-21), Daniel Smith (1-18) and Blake Chapman (1-4) all picked up wickets while Elvy McEwen’s six overs went for just eight runs.
It was a round of low-scoring battles as USC-Marthaguy (99 all out in 31.2 overs) continued to walk the finals tightrope with a 32-run win against Coonabarabran (67 all out in 29.5 overs) at Victoria Park in Warren.
This was a critical fixture and USC-Marthaguy all-rounder Ben Storer delivered with a match-winning double.
First, Storer top-scored with a patient 29 for USC-Marthaguy as Hugh Duncan (18), John McKay (16) and Andrew Freeth (13) also made starts.
However, USC-Marthaguy crashed from 2-68 after 18 overs to be bowled out inside 32 overs and under 100.
Nick Willougby (5-15 off 6.2 overs) and Jericho Chatfield (3-31 off eight overs) did most of the damage for Coonabarabran while new-ball pair Cameron Whittall (1-12 off 6.2 overs) and Ben Hjort (1-16 off seven overs) also picked up a wicket each.
Storer then produced a destructive spell of 6-7 off 6.5 overs to swing the contest USC-Marthaguy’s way.
Hugh Duncan (2-11 off eight overs) also bowled three maidens and Douglas Freeth (1-10 off six overs) was also effective.
Coonabarabran added 17 runs for the opening partnership and 13 runs for the last wicket, but in between lost 9-37.
Nick Willoughby had a fine match with 31 runs opening up while Jacob Baker finished 10 not out but ran out of partners.
Meanwhile, a patient Gulargambone secured an impressive 80-run win against Curban in Gilgandra.
Preston Ah-See’s unbeaten century (100 not out) with nine fours and two sixes was the backbone of Gular’s 2-170 off 40 overs.
Brandon Hammond (39) and Jaylem Peters (16) also made contributions.
Anthony Barry (1-27 off eight overs) grabbed a wicket for Curban while Doug Kelly (0-11 off seven overs) was economical.
Curban was bowled out for 90 off 35 overs in reply.
Levi Peters (4-13 off eight overs) was the chief destroyer while Slater Peters (2-3 off two overs), Jason Carter (2-17 off seven overs), Jaylem Peters (1-18 off eight overs) and Peter Peters Snr (1-13 off three overs) all did good jobs with the ball.
Doug Kelly (21), Greg Younghusband (19) and Anthony Barry (13) were Curban’s best with the bat.
All three results make for an exciting final two rounds.
Bendigo Bank ABC Shield unofficial table after 12 rounds: Biddon-Tooraweenah 56, Gidgee 54, Curban 54, Coonabarabran 50, Gulargambone 49, Town Services 46, USC-Marthaguy 45.
Round 13 draw, Saturday, February 15: Gidgee v Curban at Coonamble Sportsground, Gulargambone v Biddon-Tooraweenah at Gular, Town Services v USC-Marthaguy at McGrane Oval, Gilgandra. Bye: Coonabarabran
Maximum points any side can reach: Biddon-Tooraweenah 70, Gidgee 68, Curban 68, Town Services 60, USC-Marthaguy 59, Coonabarabran 57, Gulargambone 56.
Minimum points any side can reach (barring any forfeits): Biddon-Tooraweenah 62, Curban 60, Gidgee 60, Coonabarabran 53, Gulargambone 52, Town Services 52, USC-Marthaguy 51.
