Sport
28 January, 2026
McGuirk fireworks seal Curban win
A timely 83 not out from Adam McGuirk headlined an intriguing round nine of local cricket.
A match-winning 83 not out from Adam McGuirk headlined an intriguing round nine of the Bendigo Bank ABC Shield as Curban secured an important victory against Town Services.
Keeping in the manner of tight contests across round nine of the Gilgandra District Cricket Association competition, Town Services gave themselves every chance when they made 8-165 from 40 overs batting first at McGrane Oval, Gilgandra.
Liam Zell (62) and Isaac Grimshaw (36) added 64 runs for the opening partnership, while Mark Temple (17) and Adam Hazelton (15) also chipped in.
However, McGuirk was up to the challenge as he hit eight fours and three sixes in a crucial knock as Curban peeled off 6-169 inside 35 overs to win by four wickets.
Doug Kelly (28), Joe Alchin (21 not out) and Zac Mills (13) all supported McGuirk.
Kelly (2-16 off eight overs) and McGuirk (1-17 off eight overs) were also Curban’s most economical bowlers.
Adam Hazelton (3-13 off eight overs) and Temple (1-24 off seven overs) had handy doubles for Town.
Dunedoo secure vital win
Dunedoo also scored a hard-earned win when it mowed down USC-Marthaguy’s 4-170 (40 overs) at Dunedoo, posting 5-173 in reply to win by six wickets.
Nathan Duce (47), Jake Ferguson (40), Max McKenzie (42) and Ashley Johnstone (17 not out) all played positive knocks as Dunedoo chased down a solid total from the visitors inside 30 overs.
Ben Storer (2-28 off seven overs) and David McIsaac (2-37 off six overs) picked up multiple-wicket hauls for USC-Marthaguy.
Earlier, USC-Marthaguy, won the toss, batted and performed diligently with willow.
Storer (49) top-scored and added 86 runs for the opening wicket with Andrew Freeth (34). Mark Glasson (44 not out) and McIsaac (19) finished things off for the visitors.
Joshua James (2-28 off six overs) grabbed the best figures, but Nathan James (0-17 off eight overs) being ultra-economical and every other Dunedoo bowler also going for less than six runs an over was pivotal.
The win moves Dunedoo to fifth spot, with only run-quotient keeping Biddon-Tooraweenah in front at fourth, both teams on 43 points.
Ladder leaders win thriller at Coonamble
Gidgee and Gular played a thriller at Coonamble Sportsground, Gular (135 all out in 36.5 overs) winning by just one run as the hosts were removed for 134 in their final over.
Brandon Hammond continued an impressive run-scoring season with 64.
Hammond and Jerome Chatfield (21 not out) were able to add 49 runs for the last wicket which proved crucial.
The entire Gidgee bowling attack was on song with Declan Page (3-16 off eight overs) and Justin Fernando (3-27 off eight overs) returning the best figures.
Gidgee’s batting was also a team effort. Mitch Nalder (33) top-scored after taking 2-37 with ball and Brenny Williams (25), Roshan Tinari (18), Blaike Fernando (15) and Elvy McEwen (11) all chipped in.
Jerome Peters (2-13 off 6.1 overs) secured the final Gidgee wicket to seal Gular’s victory, while Hammond (3-16 off eight overs) and Tyne Chapman (3-23 off six overs) also did well with ball.
Experience keeps BT in top four
In a round of hard-fought contests, Biddon-Tooraweenah (4-153 off 40 overs) defeated Coonabarabran (122 all out in 37 overs) at No. 3 Oval, Coonabarabran.
Mark Ferguson, playing his first game in around three seasons, top-scored with an unbeaten 42 while Jon Kilby (33 not out) added late impetus as the visitors scored 77 runs from their final 10 overs.
Jaimie Zell (26), Bevan Peart (23) and Clint Walker (14) also made starts for Biddon-Tooraweenah.
Wickets were hard to come by for Coonabarabran, but David Osmond picked up 2-16 off eight overs and most of the attack bowled with good control.
In reply, Steven Hallett (15) started nicely early but after he fell with the total on 18, Coonabarabran dropped six wickets for 26 runs to be reeling at 7-59 after the other contributor Tom Roworth (21) was dismissed. who earlier took 1-25, was removed.
Biddon-Tooraweenah’s James Best (3-25 off eight overs) picked up two wickets in his first over to change the game and bowled with great control on a turning wicket, while Paul Lambell (3-7 off five overs) also starred.
Coonabarabran fell to 9-86, before Osmond (45) and Ben Hjort (14 not out) kept Coonamble in the game with a 37-run final wicket partnership. However, when Osmond was removed, Biddon-Tooraweenah had sealed victory.
Bendigo Bank ABC Shield – unofficial table after round nine:
Gular 59 (eight wins), Curban 47 (five wins), USC-Marthaguy 44 (five wins), Biddon-Tooraweenah 43 (four wins), Dunedoo 43 (four wins), Coonabarabran 40 (four wins), Gidgee 36 (three wins), Town Services 33 (three wins).
Round 10 draw:
Coonabarabran versus Gidgee at Coonabarabran, Curban versus USC-Marthaguy at Gilgandra, Gular versus Town Services at Gulargambone, Dunedoo versus Biddon-Tooraweenah at Dunedoo.
