By Matt Zell

The Bendigo Bank Brewery Shield 1^st XI team have forced their way into the semi-finals with a resounding 10 wicket bonus point victory over Bourke @ McGrane Oval on Sunday.

Winning the toss & sending the visitors in, the Gil lads were always in control with a dominant performance with the ball.

Last week’s star, Jack Irving, struck in the 8^th over followed by ageing veteran Jon Kilby in the 9^th. Irving struck again 3 overs later to have Bourke on the back foot @ 3/23. Michael Brown (20) & opener Will Mitchell (28) added 46 to breathe life back into their innings but when Harry Willoughby removed Brown the Bourke castle collapsed.

In a magnificent spell of line & length bowling Willoughby took 3/14 off 10 straight overs to destroy any hopes of a late innings revival. He was ably supported by Henry Johnson who took 2/29 & Ben Hjort 1/0 off his only over. Irving (2/18) & Kilby (1/10) ensured each bowler took a wicket.

Requiring 91 for victory, the challenge was put to our opening batsmen to achieve this inside of 30 overs to obtain a bonus point.

These words did not go unnoticed as skipper Ash Hazelton & recently selected Western keeper Matt Everett absolutely punished the Bourke bowling attack to reach their required target in just 8.4 overs.

Everett was particularly savage on anything short, belting 3 large 6’s to finish unbeaten on 44 off just 29 balls.

Hazelton was far from a passenger as he continued his stellar run of form to remain not out on 28 from just 24 balls.

At the time of going to press it was still unofficial but it appears as though Gilgandra have done enough to qualify for the semi-finals & will either travel to Narromine or host them this Sunday.

Considering we started the season with 2 losses this is a magnificent achievement & with the youth in our squad it certainly bodes for a bright future.

We would like to thank Dane Parnaby & the Bourke team for travelling, they had major issues getting a team together with kids going back to boarding school & some Covid trouble so it is a credit to them to make the effort & greatly appreciated by us.