Sporties put upset loss behind them to overcome Wanderers’ challenge in Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League

At a bowler-friendly Wonthella, Sportsmans got back on track, beating Wanderers by four wickets in the Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League, while an 11-game losing streak was snapped in the women’s competition. Wanderers batted first after captain Kade Gillingham won the toss on Saturday, with opener Flynn Heberle falling to Ben O’Brien (2-24) after two balls. Following on, were Ian Oglesby (23), Zane Marwick (22) and Gillingham (22). Simon Evans (2-25) had Marwick’s wicket, caught behind by Riley Barham, but Gus Heberle (36 not out) got his side to 145. Josh McGlynn (2-4) ended with innings-best figures. In the reply, Ryan Dixon (72) put on partnerships of 25, 48 and 41 with O’Brien, McGlynn and Evans respectively. He fell to Damien King (4-41) but Flynn Dillon (18 not out) finished the job. Also on Saturday, Towns defeated Bluff Point by 12 runs at Muir Park in Saturday’s Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League. Callum Marquis, captain with Sam Crouch out, chose to bat and Towns’ 187 shaped a 12-run win. Kodi Giltrow (59 off 71 balls) gave no chances and hit two sixes and five fours. He added 83 with Matt Reen (44 with eight fours). Earlier, Towns was 4-32 due to Antonio Paradella (3-17) and Mitch McAuliffe (2-30) lit up by a reflex two-handed Callum Joss grab at midwicket. Giltrow and Reen thrived until Pointers captain Cody Doran (4-27) dismissed Reen and two balls later, Crouch. Luke Gardiner helped add 30 then Giltrow was snared off Doran by Pinto’s extended left hand. Doran had a problem as James Morrison, who split his left hand’s webbing warming up, was done after three overs. Three others went for combined 1-67 off seven. The tail wagged through Travis Morgan, Harrison Steel and Marquis (15 not out). Marquis, nursing a bung shoulder, batted last. In the reply, Bluff Point soon lost Theo Curtis to Breen (2-23) who also had Joss caught by wicketkeeper Nate Thomas-Magee. They were 3-39 when McAuliffe fell to Tom Witt. Seb Bainbridge (45) and Doran added 35 then Doran was bowled by Giltrow (3-27). Pinto (23) bucked a rising required run rate with quick runs until Giltrow had him smartly stumped and Bainbridge held by Steel while Crouch (2-42) shifted James Moody. Alex and Sam Reynolds (18) added 31 but Crouch had Alex stumped while Ryan Thomas (2-20) had Sam caught by Morgan. Hayden Jones hit out but to no avail. In Friday’s Young Motors T20 at Wonthella, Wanderers beat Bluff Point by eight wickets. Wanderers’ Gus Heberle took 2-15 and made 51 not out. Doran won the toss and batted. His team’s 6-91 included 46 runs in the last seven overs thanks to Curtis (18). Bainbridge (35 not out) and Doran (24) opened. In the chase, Wanderers had 32 runs when Alex Reynolds ran out Gillingham. Heberle almost saw Wanderers home but was well caught by Matt Reid. Marwick (20 not out) also made runs. In the Women’s Young Motors T20 competition on Sunday, Towns snapped an 11-game losing streak to beat Sportsmans by six wickets. Captain Ruth Vorster was sensational in the run chase, making 42 runs to steer her side to victory, while Indiana Burns made the most of a lively pitch to take 3-4 in a tidy bowling effort. “Incredible to finally beat Sporties, a long-time coming,” Vorster said. A full wrap of the women’s matches can be found in this week’s edition of the Midwest Times.