Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League round 6: Towns and Wanderers square ledger, while Sporties beat CVN

Towns and Wanderers met twice in the Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League at the weekend — with the results split down the middle. A Young Motors T20 at Wonthella on Friday night went to Wanderers while Towns won a 50-over game at GBSC Park the next day. In the T20, Towns batted after winning the toss but with Ashlyn Thompson (3-14) on song, made only 5-106, with runs from Kodi Giltrow (23), Callum Marquis (15) and Sam Crouch (36 not out). Wanderers lost an early wicket in the chase when Damien King was bowled by Tom Forsyth but Zane Marwick (23) and Jack Annison (37 off 27 balls) added a bright 59. Annison was imposing, especially when driving, though that brought him undone thanks to a great Ryan Thomas catch. Thomas ran 15 metres to pluck a one-hander. More wickets fell as Towns rallied but Kade Gillingham and Justin Clarkson (27 not out) completed a five-wicket win. On Saturday, Towns again won the toss but chose to bowl, which paid off with Wanderers all out for 122. Forsyth removed Gus Heberle in the first over, caught by Darcy Giltrow, and Marquis had the other opener, King, caught by Austin Breen. Marwick (22) and Kade Gillingham (41) did well but Breen (4-21) had Marwick caught by Nate Thomas-Magee while Gillingham was bowled by spinner Tom Witt (4-12). Both Breen and Witt had career-bests. Wanderers’ best stand between Gillingham and Flynn Heberle was worth only 36. Witt, who bowled beautifully, took the last four wickets. King (2-25) took early wickets as Towns wobbled in the reply, then Darcy Giltrow (36) and older brother Kodi (57 not out) added 59. When Darcy Giltrow was caught by King off Digby Willliams, Wanderers had hope but Kodi Giltrow ensured a six-wicket win. In the other 50-over game on Saturday, Sportsmans beat Chapman Valley-Northampton by 97 runs at Wonthella. Sportsmans’ Riley Barham won the toss and chose to bat. His side made 8-234. Openers Xavier Bochat (18) and Ryan Dixon put on 36 but were parted when Lachy Teakle (2-39) had Bochat caught by Nigel Routledge. Simon Evans (25) and Darcy Ingle (56) did well but Adam Goacher (2-38) had Evans caught by Teakle and removed Flynn Dillon, stumped by Courtney McLeod, to be 5-115. Barham (20) and Jarrod Jupp (45 not out) added a quick 44 to lift Sportsmans to a winning tally despite Brad Boyer (2-42). CVN made a good start in the chase with Goacher (61) scoring his maiden 50. Sporties, however, kept taking wickets. Heath Linturn (2-24) made inroads then Dan Welsh (3-26) had Goacher caught by Lucas McGregor and shifted Routledge and Hayden Dawson cheaply. McGregor (2-12) helped end the innings at 137. He also ran out Mitch Marsh while Seb Bedford was run out by Jupp.