Bluff Point look to build on recent performance as rain threatens to play spoilsport

Rain looms over this weekend’s cricket action as Bluff Point look to go two in a row and Towns aim to continue their dominance in round three of the Geraldton Cricket League. Bluff Point are aiming to make it two from three with a win in tomorrow’s match after coming out on top in a low-scoring encounter against Sportsmans by 43 runs. They play Chapman Valley-Northampton at Muir Park who are coming off a big loss to Towns last weekend after suffering a fatal middle-order collapse. Pointers captain Jay O’Brien was pleased with going close to Towns but acknowledged there was still work to do if they were to reach their level. “It was good to be close to the reigning premiers in our first game but they’re games we want to win to earn respect,” he said. “We know we can be competitive against any team but we must be more consistent and Towns had five players out in that game so plenty of work to do to get to their level.” O’Brien was hoping for improvement with the bat and expects a tough game against the Rams despite their loss on the weekend. “We had Carl (Shilling) and Sam (Millett) back for Sportsmans and experienced players like them help with confidence, it’s a shame they’re not available on a regular basis.” “Even with our full line-up, we have work to do with the bat in the field,” he said. “I’d say Chapman Valley-Norths are flying under the radar, if anything, they’ve added more quality, they played finals last season and have plenty of damaging batters and bowlers.” The other match is at the Recreation Ground where unbeaten Towns play Wanderers who won the only game they have played so far. Towns’ Jay Comben is only two runs short of 4000 career runs and Wanderers’ Shayne Bidwell is 60 short of 10,000. Wanderers will be the underdogs as Towns seem to hit their stride in the latter half of their innings on the weekend. While their openers have struggled they bat deep and as they showed can kick up another gear if to punish teams at the backend. However, the weather forecast is less than ideal with an 80 per cent chance of rain, which could very well see shortened matches or games washed out entirely. In women’s cricket, the Young Motors League moves to round two and while the Saturday forecast looks grim Sunday should be fine, which will come as a relief after both round one games were rained off. Wanderers are the favourites against Towns especially if their pace bowlers dominate and will feel most aggrieved of the weather last week as they were bossing their chase of 95 knocking off a third of the runs inside five overs. Towns with Janelle Phillips back and Dirranie Kirby in the form could be a handful though they will hope Kirby can get more support as they were the only two batters to reach double figures on the weekend. In the other game Chapman Valley Northampton meets Sportsmans with Katie Clarkson coming off a magnificent half-century while Joanne Walker will be bouyed after taking 3/14 against Towns. B-grade: Wan v BP (GBSC1); Don v Twn (Dongara); Spo v CVN (Wonthella).