Gulargambone cricketers remain comfortably on top of the ladder as the ABC Shield reaches the tail end of the season.

Gular have notched up nine wins and one loss following the 11th of 14 rounds on Saturday 7 February, leading the pack on 71 points.

Gilgandra District Cricket Association president Jamie Zell said the side have a core group of young players giving them an edge.

“They’re just at the right age to mix it with the adults,” he said.

“There’s three or four younger blokes are at an age now where they’re playing pretty good cricket, and they do have a bit of experience in Brandon Hammond, and Jason Carter and Peter Peters to lead them.”

He said that second-placed Curban have also been performing well throughout the season, and that Marthaguy have a history of coming through towards the end.

With only six points separating the second and sixth-placed teams, Mr Neeves said it’s currently a tight run to reach the knockout stage.

Coonamble rank sixth on 48 points after a Round 11 wash-out in Warren split the points five-five.

Competition newcomers Dunedoo have also made a splash with five wins and six loses.

“It keeps everybody on their toes to have a new bunch of people to play against and a new venue to play at,” Mr Neeves said.

“Apart from Gular, the other teams have been very, very mixed in their results, which has resulted in a tight competition at the end of the year. “I think there’s only one team, possibly two, that could miss out on the semis.”

Gulargambone are next scheduled to play at home against Curban on 14 February, while Coonamble visit Dunedoo.