The Bulls Masters continued a hectic start to 2025 with a trip out West to Chinchilla to support the Chinchilla Cricket Association and help kick off the Melon Fest celebrations with a T20 cricket match against the local legends!
This tour has become a bi-annual event which coincides with Chinchilla’s biggest tourist attraction, Melon Fest. The Bulls Masters had a sponsors dinner to help support the Chinchilla Cricket Association supporters. Guests of honour were former Australian fast bowler Carl Rackemann and current Queensland opening bowler (also capped for Australia) Michael Neser. Carl and Michael gave some candid insights into their illustrious careers but the highlight was Carl’s story about his near world record batting performance (true story!) from the 1991 Ashes Test in Sydney.
Capping off a bowler friendly event, the night was MC’d by former Australian bowler Adam Dale.
The cricket game at the Chinchilla Recreation Ground started with a big free kids clinic which was well supported by the locals. The game had a big crowd despite some rain through the day. Chinchilla has always supported the Bulls Masters tour and the game did not disappoint!
The Bulls Masters batted first with local product, Nathan Reardon starting strong with 29 quick runs. He had good support from Michael Philipson, Steve Paulsen and Gavin Fitness but it was current Bulls all-rounder Michael Neser who delivered the biggest fireworks on his way to 43 runs to set up the total of 7/159.
The locals had feared that Neser might get the ball to open the bowling too, however he was in cotton wool for the Sheffield Shield season and only bowled one over of spin. The Chinchilla District Watermelons had their best effort chasing a Bulls Masters target. They started well with Wood getting 23 up top and support through the middle from Harwood and Mead had the locals in the hunt. They mustered 130 runs to fall just short but showed good fight!
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