Sport
30 November, 2024
Two road trips a test in Brewery Shield
Gilgandra skipper Ashley Hazelton sees Sunday’s round three Brewery Shield clash with Dubbo at Dubbo as a genuine test, with another challenge following a fortnight later for different reasons.
Defending the past two Brewery Shield titles, Gilgandra District Cricket Association had a bye in round one and started its 2023/2024 campaign in round two with a comprehensive win (2-264) against Narromine (90) at McGrane Oval.
The GDCA plays Dubbo at Dubbo this Sunday (December 1) before making the big trip to Bourke to play Bourke on December 15. Both matches will play a large role in where Gilgandra finishes on the table, with the top three sides moving through to the finals. Dubbo is a traditional stronghold of western zone and Macquarie Valley cricket with its large population base.
This season, Dubbo’s Brewery Shield side has scored 5-339 against Narromine and 8-313 against Cobar to record big wins and Hazelton is aware of their batting strength. “Dubbo have had two good wins … they’ve scored more than 300 runs in both their matches,” Hazelton said. “Dubbo look to have picked a side to be very competitive. I’d say that’s our biggest challenge (Dubbo).”
On playing Bourke at Bourke, Hazelton said the 736-kilometre round trip from Gilgandra has its own unique challenges. “Bourke at Bourke, it’s tough to play any sport when you have been travelling on a bus for four hours, especially for a 10 o’clock start. “Not too many sides win at Bourke for the fact that it’s very difficult to keep your core squad together for that trip. It’s draining on the players, but probably just as draining on families when you leave at five o’clock in the morning and get home at midnight.”
And Gilgandra will have to win both matches away from a McGrane Oval surface which gives them an advantage. Unlike some other turf tracks where you can blast from ball one, McGrane Oval is a wicket that is a true test of batting technique and initial patience is required to succeed.
“Gilgandra’s wicket is probably a little bit different to what most clubs and other clubs (associations) are used too,” Hazelton said. “We’ve got a bowling attack which really attacks the stumps. We skid the ball through, not too many tall bouncy bowlers. The wicket suits our team.
“Some players do struggle when they come here with the pitch playing a little bit lower. You have to play with a straight bat or you can get yourself in a little bit of trouble. It is quite difficult to adjust, you have to bat well early and take your time. “A lot of other grounds in this competition, you can start scoring from ball one.”
