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Crunch clash for Sporties vs Bluff Point in Geraldton men’s cricket, Wanderers play Towns in women’s

Victor TantiGeraldton Guardian
Ethan Johnson is available for Sportsmans’ crucial clash against Bluff Point.
Camera IconEthan Johnson is available for Sportsmans’ crucial clash against Bluff Point. Credit: Geoff Vivian/Geraldton Guardian, Geoff Vivian and Arctic Moon Photography

Sportsmans risk missing the Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League finals for the first time since 2014-15.

They’re in the top three now but Bluff Point are close and have two games in hand which makes tomorrow’s Sportsmans and Pointers game at Muir Park vital.

“Being 2-6 is obviously tough but I think that looks worse than the way we’ve been playing,” Sportsmans captain Riley Barham said. “We were in the contest in at least three of those losses but unfortunately ended on the wrong side of the result — that’s cricket.”

Sportsmans’ woes are no surprise given the quality players absent or mostly so this season.

That list includes Aaron McAuliffe, Ben O’Brien, Glenn Wishart, Jaimon Alone and Darcy Ingle.

To fill gaps Sporties have recalled veterans Nic Rafanelli and Adriano Paradella.

“Raf and Senior (Paradella) have contributed and Senior’s spell against Wanderers last week kept us in the game,” Barham said. “We’ll have Ethan Johnson back which will help with our bowling stocks in a big game as Bluff Point have played some good cricket.”

The Pointers have two games.

They also meet Wander-ers tonight in a Young Motors T20.

The Pointers believe they’re good enough to play finals but with Jay O’Brien probably out for the rest of the season with his work, it won’t be easy.

Wanderers seem secure in the top three but would love a win tonight and again tomorrow at Nabawa against Chapman Valley-Northampton.

T20s are unpredictable but Wanderers will be confident tomorrow versus an unsettled CVN who’ve used 20 players so far (and 36 in their B-grade).

In Sunday’s Women’s Young Motors T20s, Wanderers play Towns at GBSC3 and on current form Wanderers will dominate.

At GBSC4, CVN play Sportsmans in an important game for CVN as a win will give them hope of making the top two. B-Grade T20s: Wan v CVN (N’pton); Twn v Don (Rec); BP v Spo (Wonthella).

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