Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League round 8: Sportsmans tighten grip at top of ladder with pair of wins

Sportsmans firmed as Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League premiership favourites with two wins on the weekend. The first was a six-wicket victory over Wanderers at Wonthella in Friday’s Young Motors T20. That was followed by Saturday’s 198-run win over Bluff Point in a 50-over game at Muir Park. In the T20, Sportsmans’ Riley Barham bowled after he won the toss. Wanderers made just 7-86 despite a 30-run start from openers Zane Marwick (39 not out) and Damien King (17). Then Matt Greenless (3-7) struck and Glenn Wishart (3-3) later emulated Greenlees’ three wickets in eight balls. Wishart, now 49, remains fit and feisty. Other commitments have stopped him from playing more but his A-grade record shows great numbers — a bowling average of 13.28 and a batting average of 28.05. Jarrod Jupp’s one-stump-to-aim-at run out of Jet Plunkett was a highlight. James Taylor, a 15-year-old debutant, scored a composed 10 not out and bowled two tidy overs. Clint Yeates (27) was assured in the reply but Mitch Thompson (3-15) gave Wanderers hope until Darcy Ingle (26 not out) settled. In the 50-over match, Barham won the toss and batted and his side made 6-236. Openers Ryan Dixon (42), Josh McGlynn (33) put on 70 and then Clint Yeates (76 off 82 balls), who turns 41 on Friday, and Simon Evans added 96. Barham (22 off 10 balls) took 16 off the last over bowled by Mitch McAuliffe (3-60). But McAuliffe dismissed McGlynn and Yeates and bowled well as did James Morrison (0-30 off 10 overs). Bluff Point’s reply was a shocker, all out for 38, with Theo Curtis (10) the top-scorer. Barham needed only two bowlers, Zak Williamson (5-9) — his third successive five-wicket haul in 50-over games — and Jupp (5-26). Wanderers beat Chapman Valley-Northampton at Mazzuchelli Oval on Saturday. They made only 137 after captain Kade Gillingham won the toss and had first use of a tricky pitch. None of the batters dominated but Marwick (23), Colin Culloton (22), Shayne Bidwell (20) and Flynn Heberle (17) combined for enough. Patrick Walsh (2-36) shifted Marwick and Bidwell while Lachy Teakle (3-23) and Evan Williamson (2-10), respectively 20 and 15 years old, shone. Teakle also ran out Gillingham. Wanderers’ 14-year-old Plunkett must think cricket is cruel as he was again victim of a direct-hit run out with the throw from another 14-year-old, Colbie Hagan. CVN mustered a mere 58 in the chase. Only Brad Boyer (10 not out) reached double figures. King (4-22) wrecked the top order, with his haul including the key wicket of Nigel Routledge. He had support from Ashlyn Thompson (2-17). Justin Clarkson (3-14) swept away the remnants.