Sport
24 January, 2026
Gular finally toppled in final matches before Christmas
Gular's unbeaten run in local cricket came to and end in the last round of 2025.
By Dallas Reeves
Coonabarabran toppled the previously undefeated Gulargambone in the final round of the Bendigo Bank ABC Shield cricket competition before the New Year on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
The Kookaburras were three and three going into the round seven Gilgandra District Cricket Association clash at while the Brandon Hammond-led Gular were six and zero pre-contest.
However, Coonabarabran lifted, posting 8-174 (40 overs) at Gulargambone Oval before bowling the hosts out for 158.
Gloveman Caine Thompson top-scored for Coonabarabran with 62, while Zane Jenner (44), Steven Hallett (22) and Koo[a Thompson (13 not out) also batted well.
Peter Peters Jnr (2-36) and Levi Peters (2-27) were Gular’s best with the ball.
Hammond (27), Jerome Peters (21) and Tyne Chapman (18) all made starts at the top of the order for Gulargambone but no one was able to kick on to a substantive score as the hosts were bowled out in 38 overs. Levi Peters top-scored with an unbeaten 37 but couldn’t get Gular home.
With ball, Coonabarabran’s best with Lochlan Campbell (3-24) and Ben Hjort (3-27) who were both decisive across eight-over efforts.
Jericho Chatfield (2-30), Cameron Whittall (1-21) and David Osmond (1-10) were also good with the Kookaburra for Gulargambone.
Meanwhile, Biddon-Tooraweenah held on in a low-scoring thriller at Tooraweenah Oval, defeating Gidgee by six runs.
Batting was tough work as Lachlan Ferguson (26) and Oscar Spora (25) were BT’s best in a moderate total of 9-136 off its allotted 40 overs batting first.
Every Gidgee bowler used was effective. Justin Fernando grabbed 3-21 off his eight overs, while Jarrod Page (2-21) also had a nice return as all five bowlers used grabbed at least one wicket.
Gidgee were well-placed at 1-54 in the 12th over with Blaike Fernando (32), Roshan Tinari (19) and Matthew Fernando (17) all making good starts.
However, from that great start, the visitors lost 9-86 in the next 26.4 overs overs to be bowled out for 130 (38.4 overs).
Ferguson (3-7 off 3.4 overs) and Andrew Zell (2-11 off eight overs, four maidens) both played a key role in the result while James Best (2-35 off six overs) and Jeremy Cosier (2-36) also had doubles.
Spora (1-19 off five overs) and Zell (11 with bat) also had handy doubles.
In other matches, Curban (3-116 off 27 overs) had an emphatic win against Dunedoo (115 all out in 37 overs) while USC-Marthaguy won on forfeit against Town Services.
