The team gave up what was a good chance at this year’s state wide cricket competition to help protect their community from the rising waters of the Lachlan River on Saturday, October 15.

“We were meant to play West Wyalong, but on Saturday morning we just thought what we have to do is more important than a game of cricket,” said representative Craig Randall.

“We all had that thought that we had a good chance of going the distance in the competition this year, it’s the best team Hillston has had in a couple of years.

“But it wasn’t something you would think twice about.”

By unanimous decision the team remained in their town splitting up to lend a hand to various neighbours at risk.

“It wasn’t just sandbagging, our team captain Nathan went and saved some sheep that were marooned, others were reinforcing banks for farmers and the whole team just sort of helped out where they could.

Mr Randall said if they had won the match they would have moved on to the next level of the competition.

“It was disappointing, but we have no regrets,” he said.

“Hillston is just that kind of good little town community.”