Geraldton cricket grand final: Wanderers end Towns’ historic title run as they claim the A grade premiership

Wanderers categorically won the Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League A-Grade premiership on Saturday at the Rec Ground.

A close game was expected but Wanderers were deadly in claiming the club’s 22nd flag.

Towns valiantly tried to conjure a win despite being dismissed for a record grand final low of 53.

Wanderers’ Kade Gillingham, at 20 probably the youngest ever premiership captain, impressed. His bowling changes and field placements were perfect.

Towns’ Ringo McKenna won the toss and batted, the Murray Towton prepared pitch was true and to bat was the right choice.

Mitch Thompson (3-10) had other ideas. He took three wickets in his second over and with hindsight, decided the result.

He started by bowling Jeremy Bedford. Spectators initially thought umpire Chris Collins had belatedly given him out caught behind but in fact his stumps had been disturbed.

Two balls later he had Austin Breen well caught by a diving Damien King at fine leg and after a wide had Kodi Giltrow, slashing outside off-stump, held by Gillingham. Towns were 3-2.

A brief rally ended when Darcy Giltrow was well caught by Elliot Delaney off Jason Partington.

Then Jai Russell popped up a catch for Gus Heberle off Henry Anderson (4-15), later awarded the Bob Taylor Medal as player of the match.

Wickets kept falling, McKenna edged to Gillingham off Anderson, Dan Brimson was trapped in front by Zane Marwick and Tom Witt leg before to Anderson who also bowled Josh DeLacy. Towns 9-39.

Sam Crouch (19 not out) and Tom Forsyth looked like they might at least get Towns past the previous grand final low of 65 (Towns v Wanderers 1988-89) until Forsyth was run out by Heberle.

Wanderers lost only one wicket in 16 overs needed to win with Clayton Bruce-Cherry leg before to DeLacy.

Towns did keep Marwick to an unbeaten nine off 45 balls but King (34 not out) was unfettered and hit the winning boundary.

At the medal presentation Gillingham praised Towns.

“They’ve been the benchmark for a few years now and will be back,” Gillingham said.

“For Wanderers, well done, well played and let’s celebrate tonight.”

In B-Grade, Wanderers won their sixth flag after excellent cricket allowed them to defend a mere 85 at Wonthella.

Wanderers’ Matt Partington won the toss and batted but only Ross Clarkson (11) and Justin Clarkson (12) notched double figures with Gus Spalding (3-19) and Chris Bowran (3-14) bowling well.

Dongara replied with 73 and never recovered from incisive new ball work from Justin Clarkson (3-22), later named best player.

Liam Clarkson (2-14) and Digby Williams (2-6) did their bit while Ross Clarkson was involved in two run outs. Only Isaac Warren (14 not out) made more than six.