Sport
14 October, 2025
Owls earn first A grade win since 2023
Maryborough’s A grade revival got off to a flying start at Ron Sinclair Oval, defeating last season’s runners-up Carisbrook by eight wickets.
After a hard-hitting cameo from Atticus Cullinan brought Carisbrook to a respectable total of 168, a commanding 128-run partnership from Oliver Bennett and Ben Hoban steered the Owls to their first A grade win since November 11, 2023.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Carisbrook were hopeful that their new opening partnership of Brayden Wright and Elliot Cullinan would give the visitors early control.
However, Maryborough had their first opening in the fifth over through Oliver Cassidy when Wright was caught by wicketkeeper Troy Bursill for eight, putting Carisbrook at 1/13.
New man in Jordan Hopper recovered some momentum for Carisbrook alongside Elliot Cullinan before he too was gone at the hands of Elliot Ashburn in his first over for his new club, caught by Bursill for nine.
That brought the dangerous Dean Nalder into the game with Carisbrook at 2/30. However, Maryborough was able to nullify Nalder’s impact early by removing his partners regularly.
As he looked to increase the run rate, Elliot Cullinan was gone for 18, out LBW off the bowling of Ashburn, who quickly added a third by bowling Cooper Mark for six.
When Hoban bowled Marty Mark for four with the last ball before the drinks break to have Carisbrook at 5/53, it looked as though the hosts would have a dream A grade return.
Carisbrook captain William Coutts brought some needed stability to the innings when he joined Nalder at the crease, with the pair patiently waiting for their chances to score runs off loose deliveries.
As the partnership began to increase the run rate, Cassidy grabbed the vital wicket of Nalder for 29, trapping him in front for an LBW to leave Carisbrook at 6/92 with 59 balls remaining.
It looked as though the visitors would be defending a less than ideal score until Atticus Cullinan produced a late-hitting masterclass.
A bowler by trade, Atticus Cullinan was hitting some impressive slogs around the ground, especially against the spin, smashing five fours and two sixes before being stumped by Bursill on the last ball of the innings, with the wicket going to Jasper Trickey.
Atticus Cullinan’s entertaining 51 from just 32 balls put Carisbrook in a much more competitive position alongside Nalder’s 29 and Coutts’ unbeaten 27.
Ashburn showcased why Maryborough was so desperate to bring him in, taking 3/19 and three maidens from his allotted eight overs. Cassidy was the only other bowler with multiple wickets, ending with 2/25.
Facing the tight bowling of Atticus Cullinan, Cooper Mark and Cole Harris, Bennett and Hoban began the Owls’ run chase off at a methodical pace, scoring 0/32 from the first 10 overs.
The run rate gradually grew as the innings progressed, with the partnership reaching 81 runs at the drinks break and showing no signs of slowing down.
After Bennett brought about his 50 with some beautiful shots, Hoban was determined to reach his half-century in a similar manner.
His eagerness proved to be his downfall, removed by Axel Purcell for 47 after holding out in the deep to Elliot Cullinan.
Purcell wasn’t done, as in his next over he caught Alex Burrow off guard for an LBW dismissal to generate some concern from the hosts, still requiring 32 runs from 59 balls.
Bennett and Mitch McClure put those concerns to bed with a commanding 34-run partnership to hit the target with 32 balls to spare.
Bennett looked in control throughout the entire innings, ending unbeaten on 78 after hitting 11 fours. McClure also looked in fine touch during his short cameo, scoring 30 off 20 balls with six boundaries.
Purcell was the only wicket-taker for Carisbrook, ending with figures of 2/49 from 7.4 overs.
