By Matt Zell

Breelong wicketkeeper batsman Matt Everett stole the show on Friday night @ McGrane Oval with a chanceless 113* to get Breelong home against Town Services in the final of the Bendigo Bank ABC Shield.

In a huge week for the cricketing prodigy, he has gained selection for NSW Country to contest the Australian Country Championships in Albury next month which is a great boost for local cricket.

Winning the toss & electing to bat, Town Services came out of the blocks firing with Ash & Kieren Hazelton racing to 29 off the first 5 overs before Kieren was dismissed for a swashbuckling 19.

The in form Jason Carter was dismissed 2 overs later for 0 & when skipper Ash Hazelton departed for a well compiled 30 the wheels on the Town Services bus were wobbling @ 3/55.

Adam Hazelton & Brank Hammond then steadied the ship & took the score along to 94 before Adam was dismissed for 15.

A couple of quick wickets then fell before Hammond found an ally in young Preston Ahsee. The pair put on 23 before Hammond fell for a team high of 51. Preston finished 23* in a valuable innings that helped Town Services compile 8/165.

Matt Zell (3/33) was the leading wicket taker with brothers Kenny & Henry Johnson both taking 2 & veteran John Alchin 1.

Breelong started their run chase on a positive note with skipper Liam Zell & Everett putting on 44 for the 1^st wicket before Zell was adjudged LBW for 11.

Everett was then joined by Nathan Tuena & they combined for a 28 run stand before Tuena also fell the same way. Kenny Johnson came & went for 6 which left Breelong @ 3/86 off 24 overs.

Experienced stalwart Guy McAnally-Elwin then strode to the crease & turned back the clock with a valuable innings that showed all of his class & guile.

The pair put on an invaluable 61 run partnership to wrestle the ascendency back in Breelong’s favour before he inexplicably run himself out for 14 with the finish line in sight.

Two more quick wickets fell but the damage had been done. It was fitting Everett should hit the winning runs in the final over with 4 wickets in hand.

Adam Hazelton was the pick of the bowlers with 2/30 off 9 overs, Jacob Wilson finished with 1/28 off his 9 & Brank Hammond & Mark Temple picked up a wicket each.

It was a match befitting a Grand Final & full congratulations should go to both teams for the tremendous spirit in which the game was played.

The focus now turns to this week’s Grand Final with Minor Premiers Gidgee taking on Breelong for the right to hoist the Bendigo Bank ABC Shield aloft.

The match will get underway this Saturday from 12 midday @ McGrane Oval. This should be a great game of cricket & a large crowd is anticipated, good luck to both teams.