Geraldton A’s fight back to crush Bunbury while B side falls to Iluka despite Heberle’s six

Geraldton’s A-Section Country Week got off to a perfect start on Sunday with a win over Bunbury (2) at Kingsway Reserve. It didn’t come easy however, as Geraldton found themselves in a dire spot batting first after Jai Russell won the toss, crashed to 3-3 with Darcy Ingle, Russell and Clint Yeates out for one run between them. But Clayton Bruce-Cherry (62 off 64 balls) and Jay O’Brien (33) batted sensibly to steady the ship adding 73 for the fourth wicket and got Geraldton back in the game. Bruce-Cherry’s innings was a mix of attack on both sides of the wicket and solid defence, while O’Brien showed an old-fashioned grafter is essential in 60-over cricket. There were more runs from Kade Gillingham (46) who was again unruffled by pressure as Bunbury could not find regular breakthroughs. Jack Dawson (16), Nigel Routledge (21) and Ringo McKenna (14 not out) chipped in to take Geraldton to 8-203, a marvellous recovery and an imposing total. McKenna (3-9 off seven overs) snuffed out any chance of Bunbury getting the target and might have had more wickets, but Russell, mindful of games to come rested his spearhead as Bunbury lost 3-18. Bruce-Cherry (3-23) tore through the middle order and O’Brien (2-4) ended the innings for 110 and a 93-run win, having earlier engineered yet another brilliant direct hit run out from mid-off. Geraldton’s fielding was outstanding with solid keeping from Gillingham and a stunning Kodi Giltrow catch that came at him like a rocket, and if not for his sure hands would have gone for six. The number two side in B-Section faced Great Southern at Iluka who made 228 with Liam Want (68) and Clint Gilbert (70) adding 120 for the third wicket and handy runs from Connor Hawkins (33 not out). Geraldton’s star was Gus Heberle (6-58) as he bowled four of his victims in a memorable Country Week debut in a herculean effort. Geraldton managed only 136 in reply with the backbone provided by captain Aaron McAuliffe (50) who for a time gave his side hope but the target was beyond them with the next best Heberle (24). On Monday, the top side played Eastern Goldfields while the Twos met Albany. Tuesday is the rest day with play resuming on Wednesday.