HAMILTON Cricket Club stalwart, Adrian Ferguson, gained more reward for his many years of hard toil as a bowler last Saturday when he claimed the third hat-trick of his Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) career in the match against College Eagles at College Turf.

Ferguson toils away with the new ball in the HDCA B/C grade competition for Hamilton, and last weekend he was there again seeking wickets off the long run.

Although on the wrong side of 40, Ferguson still propels the ball down the wicket at a fair clip, which has many batsmen hurrying their shots as they are surprised by his speed which makes him one of the fastest bowlers in the grade.

With his team routed for only 76, Ferguson was stymied in his first spell, as the Eagles’ opening pair posted a 132-run first-wicket partnership, but he still only gave up 15 runs from his five-over spell.

Brought back into the attack for the 35th over, Ferguson had George Huf trying to ramp him over short fine leg, but the opening batsman failed to get solid contact and was well caught by Kaden Murphy who held the chance.

This brought young Darcy Milne to the wicket and Ferguson knew that he had to test the youngster first ball.

“My control had not been what I wanted all day,” Ferguson Said.

“Unfortunately for Darcy, he got the best ball I bowled all day, as it started where I wanted to and then swung in to take the top of off stump.”

This saw Marcus Lowerson walk to the middle to face the hat-trick ball.

“Rory (Hamilton captain, Rory Steff) just said to bowl the same ball again, which I tried to do as Marcus shuffled across his stumps looking to defend, but the ball smacked into his pads and the umpire raised his finger,” he said.

“It was one of those that I wouldn’t have been surprised to see the finger stay down, but it went my way this time.”

This was the third hat-trick for Ferguson in his time in the HDCA, but he has another when playing for St John’s Elsternwick, in Melbourne when he was 23.

To take one hat-trick is a dream for all bowlers but to have four is incredible and just reward for one of the games unsung heroes.