AARON Hazlewood couldn’t have timed his season any better.
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The Old Boys opening bowler and middle order bat has won the Tamworth Best and Fairest Award despite missing a number of weekends because of his work in a mine out west.
This weekend he’ll spearhead Old Boys’ challenge for a second successive Tamworth first grade grand final win.
“Yeah, it’s been pretty good, especially only playing every second week.
“It couldn’t have worked out any better.”
Hazlewood was one of the stars in the major semi final win over North Tamworth Redbacks two weeks ago. He then returned to work last weekend and this weekend will be back on deck for Old Boys.
It’s been similar throughout the season.
His weekends at home have seen him contribute with both bat and ball to such an extent he amassed 14 points in the B&F, two more than his OB skipper Ben Middlebrook and North Tamworth’s Kris Halloran.
Both Middlebrook and Halloran had late surges with Middlebrook outstanding with bat and ball too.
“He has been sensational,” Hazlewood said.
“He’s had a couple of five fors in the final few games and then the big 195. He deserved 200.”
All the Old Boys are playing well, though, Aaron said.
He’s been more than happy with the way the younger bowlers have been going too.
New ball partner Will Howard has been hitting the line and length while teenage spinners, Will Chesterfield and Jack Richards offer variety as well.
The two teenagers mopped up in the major semi-final claiming eight wickets between them.
Old Boys tackle surprise packets South who have come from fifth to snare a grand final berth.
Their record in grand finals coming from third or fourth is good too, said Country keeper Tom Groth.
Souths might have only scored 214 in the preliminary final but their bowling attack then routed Norths for 94 and a 120-run victory.
They too have struck form at the right time and have top order bat Nick Leyden to come back in. Last weekend’s opening bats, Bryce Natty and Josh Crowe, are both away at the wedding of former teammate Blake Fitzgerald.