February 24, 2013
South Burnett regained the prestigious Goodchild Shield with a decisive victory over Bundaberg in the representative cricket final played at Lyle Vidler Oval in Kingaroy this afternoon.
The home team, which had been defeated by Bundaberg earlier in the series, won the toss and elected to bat.
Opener Dan O’Connor led the way, taking 88 runs off the 104 balls he faced.
Number four Andrew Askin also scored quickly, notching up 60 off 80 balls.
Their partnership was the highlight of the South Burnett innings, putting on more than a century before Askin was bowled by Chris Duff. Askin hit five fours on the way to his total.
South Burnett were bowled out for 211 in the 50th over.
Best of the Bundaberg bowlers were Boyd Williams (3/25), Dean Krebs (3/42) and Paul Jagger (2/33).
Josh McLean was impressive behind the stumps, taking four catches, including the important wicket of Jason Webber for just three runs.
At the break, storm clouds threatened and calculations were being made under the Duckworth-Lewis system to see what the target would be if the match was halted after 25 overs, the minimum necessary for the game to be decided.
But although several showers passed over the ground, the weather cleared and the match was allowed to play out to its conclusion.
Bundaberg lost opener Ashley Williams cheaply (4) and then number three Dale Steele (7).
Lachlan Donovan (18) and wicket-keeper Josh McLean (18) steadied the ship before Donovan was caught behind by Damien Sippel off Wayne Kelly.
This brought Jarrod Laycock to the crease, who proved to be the most dangerous of the Bundaberg batsmen.
He took on the South Burnett attack, knocking four sixes – including an impressive hit right out of the carpark into Youngman Street – and three fours on his way to 63.
Laycock stayed at the wicket as his partners fell, giving the Bundaberg team some hope as the scoreboard started to tick over.
But Brendan Weil ended the visitors’ hopes decisively when he sent Laycock’s bails flying with Bundaberg’s score at 154.
Bundaberg were bowled out for 168 in the 48th over.
Best of the South Burnett bowlers were Wayne Kelly (3/15), Graeme Brown (2/13) and Brendan Weil (2/27).
South Burnett last won the Goodchild Shield in 2011.
