Pointers seek quality amid quantity against Sportsmans in Geraldton cricket, Wanderers face CVN

Bluff Point return to Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League action at Wonthella against Sportsmans tomorrow.

The Pointers have good numbers but how much quality is amid that quantity is unknown.

In one game so far, they replied to Wanderers’ 8-220 with 187, but as captain Brendan Millar recalled, the Yellowcaps were 6-80.

“Our first 20 overs were exceptional and put us in a great spot then Wanderers had a good middle-over partnership and got away from us and we did bowl a little short in that period,” Millar said.

“We also made a good start with the bat with no wickets down until the 11th over and then, a bad collapse — the truth is we were outbowled but I back us to come back strong.”

Ben O’Brien’s superb ton aside, Sportsmans have batting issues and inconsistent bowlers but can’t be written off.

Chapman Valley-Northampton versus Wanderers has been moved to GBSC1. CVN seem likely non-finalists unless players such as Hayden Dawson and Nigel Routledge have big years.

Wanderers’ up-and-comers — Digby Gallop, Alex Solomon, Gus Heberle and Zane Gray, led by a young captain in Kade Gillingham — are shining.

In Sunday’s Young Motors Women’s T20s, Towns need to beat Sportsmans at GBSC3.

Towns coach Brad Mailer said losing Janelle Phillips to a shoulder reconstruction was simply a reality.

“She’s the comp’s premier player and we’re adjusting to not having her dependability with bat and ball but will function more as a unit as the season progresses,” Mailer said.

“We’re not expecting her to play this season, but we’re supportive and want her to extend her career with Towns for many years to come.”

Towns has used 17 players in two games but Mailer is confident of more stability.

“From this week, we’ll be closer to our best 12 and I’ll be asking the players for their best,” he said.

“A win will put us in touching distance of the top two.”

At GBSC4, Wanderers should defeat CVN as they have played excellent cricket this season.

B-grade: Wan v CVN at GBSC2; Twn v Don at Rec; BP v Spo at Muir.