Breelong visitors too tough to beat in Round 4
08 December 2021, 1:00 AM
Dale Parker watching the ball travel to the boundary during the cricket game between the Coonamble-Gidgee and Eumungerie Cricket Clubs over the weekend.By John Kilby
Biddon-Tooraweenah played host to Breelong Cricket Club in Round 4 of the Bendigo Bank ABC Shield.
With Biddon-Tooraweenah forfeiting some players to combine harvesters, the home team was under pressure from the get go as they were dealt a heavy defeat by the undefeated Breelong side.
Winning the toss and electing to bat Biddon-Tooraweenah were pressured by veteran openers Matthew Zell and John Alchin as their accuracy and experience kept the run scoring to miserly rate of 1 per over.
Alchin, the leading wicket taker in the Bendigo Bank ABC Shield removed both openers in Lachlan Ferguson and Darcey Neeves.
These dismissals and the run rate continued right throughout the innings but not before Zell and Alchin both went down with injuries in consecutive overs to be replaced by fellow veterans in Guy McAnnaly-Elwin and Neil Alchin to finish off the overs.
The breakdown of the fast-bowling cartel did not bother Breelong with Nathan Tuena and Henry Johnson both picking up 3 and 4 wickets respectively.
Biddon-Tooraweenah battled through their innings to be bowled out for 83 in the 36th over with Craig Chad top scoring with 26.
In reply Breelong chased the low target in 10.2 overs as Matthew Everett took apart the opening bowlers from Biddon-Tooraweenah scoring 69 not out.
His opening partner in Liam Zell was merely a witness of the slaughter scoring 7 not out.
Everett who has experience in high level grade cricket has been selected in both the Western Zone and Western Plains Outlaws Squads who will compete in the Country Championships and the Plan B Regional Bash.
We congratulate Matthew on his selections, it has been a number of years a Gilgandra District cricketer has gained selection at this level.
Other round 4 results saw Town Services 2/262 defeat Baradine 10/62 with Brandon Hammond going large scoring 140 not out at the McGrane Oval.
While Coonamble-Gidgee Cricket Club scored an 8 wicket win over Eumungerie.
Next weekend sees Coonamble host Biddon-Tooraweenah, Coonabarabran host Baradine in a Warrenbungle Derby, Curban host USC/Marthaguy, Eumungerie host Town Services while Breelong have a well earned bye.
