Geraldton cricket round 7: Bluff Point grab first win of the season

Towns and Sportsmans consolidated their Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League top three spots on Saturday while Bluff Point grabbed their first win on Friday. The heavy hitters enjoyed respective victories over Bluff Point and Chapman Valley-Northampton. Towns captain Ringo McKenna won the toss at the Rec, elected to bat and again had to salvage his team’s batting after they slumped to 4-23 with Antonio Paradella (4-29) making early inroads. McKenna made 61 and added 97 with Tom Witt (46), a young batter who Towns have rightly persevered with. Handy late runs from Seth Farmer (20) pushed Towns to 176. James Morrison (3-29) also bowled well. The Pointers were never in the hunt during the chase, not making more than a run an over until the 28th over. It’s been that kind of season for Bluff Point and batting their 50 overs was some recompense as they made 8-94. Jay O’Brien (36 not out), who opened, had to hold up an end and the only other score of note was from Sam Millett (16). McKenna (1-3 off eight overs) and Tom Forsyth (0-12 off 10 overs) conceded just six runs off the first 10 overs to set up Josh DeLacy (5-16 off 10 overs). Farmer (2-16) also had success. Sportsmans’ Riley Barham won the toss at Mazzuchelli Oval and batted. His side made 153 with Josh McGlynn (46) top-scoring. He seemed set for lots more until being run out by Ethan Kilminster. Darcy Ingle (15) and Brad Roworth (19) made useful runs while Mitch Marsh (3-31) was best of the bowlers with Brad Boyer (2-19) ensuring the tail did not wag. CVN made only 89 in the reply with the bulk of their runs from Coen Mason (32) and Nigel Routledge (36), but after being well-placed at 2-53 they lost 8-36. Jarred Jupp (2-14) moved past 100 A-grade wickets and was supported by McGlynn (3-18), Brad Roworth (2-11) and veteran Brad Mailer (2-15). Bluff Point however tasted victory with a 17-run win over CVN in a Young Motors T20 at Wonthella on Friday. O’Brien batted after he won the toss and his side made 5-93 with O’Brien (29 not out off 32 balls) playing a match-winning innings. Millett (19), Callum Joss (18) and Aaron Joss (17) chimed in while Bobby Gibson (2-7 off four overs) was the only multiple wicket taker. CVN were slow out of the blocks in the reply and though Routledge (16) and Mitch Marsh (20) attacked, they ended at 9-76. Morrison (3-12) had career best figures and Jeremy Boase (2-5 off four overs), unafraid to throw the ball up, also impressed.