Cricket Rd 2: Assertive displays with bat and ball lead to big results in men’s and women’s competition

Sportsmans captain Jo Walker put in a stellar individual performance in the victory over Chapman Valley Northampton in round two of the Young’s Motors Women’s Cricket League at the weekend. At Muir Park on Sunday, three dominant batting displays from Sportsmans’ Belinda Burrows (42), Sarah Prickett (39 not out) and Velencia Mcauliffe (32) saw an impressive total of 3-140 posted after 20 overs. In reply, CVN were rocked by a record haul from Walker, who took 5-1. CVN were all out for 19. Walker’s haul beat the previous best — Meg Spalding’s 5-7 for Sporties against CVN in 2021-21. The round kicked off with Towns taking on Wanderers at the Rec, and an impressive display of solid batting saw five Wanderers batters retire not out, finishing on 124 after 20 overs. Leading the run totals was Olivia Bidwell who finished with a run-a-ball 24 not out. In response, Towns came out to bat with the intention of matching it with Wanderers but they never were able to get the runs flowing against a tight bowling attack. Corinne Lynch finished with 15 after being bowled out by Wanderers Chelsea Bidwell. Towns only managing 8/53 after 20 overs going down to Wanderers. In the men’s Geraldton Cricket Association, the second round started with Bluff Point taking on Sportsmans at Muir Park. It was a quick start by Sportsmans with Jarrod Jupp taking two early wickets. Bluff Point all-rounder Mitchell McAuliffe managed to stand strong at the crease for a half century against a quality attack finishing with 55. Bluff Point was bowled out for 169. Sportsmans came out to bat facing a similar start to what they dished out in the first innings with a fast start from Bluff Point’s opening bowler McAuliffe, claiming the first ball wicket of Riley Barham. Sportsmans’ Clint Yeates stood strong finishing on 73 not out, driving his team home for the win, getting the job done in 40 overs. Across at the Rec, CVN took on Towns, and superb batting throughout the innings saw Towns set an impressive total of 7/306 with notable performances coming from Samuel Crouch (91), Callum Marquis (58) and Jai Russell (58 not out). In response, CVN simply couldn’t get the ball rolling with a collapse in the middle order leading to them being bowled out for 120.