Sportsmans crowned Geraldton cricket’s T20 champions after Dillon onslaught blows away Bluff Point

Sportsmans were crowned champions of the Young Motors T20 league on Friday night after a stunning onslaught from Flynn Dillon, with support from Riley Barham, saw them comfortably chase down 105.

A good crowd had gathered at Wonthella to watch Bluff Point and Sportsmans battle it out, with the Pointers chasing a first title in 36 years.

They were sent into bat after Sportsmans won the toss and were rocked by the early losses of Aaron Thomas and Callum Joss, both caught behind by Josh McGlynn off the bowling of Xavier Bochat.

However Carl Shilling (26) ensured the Pointers kept the scoreboard moving but just as he threatened to unleash he was well-caught by Aaron McAuliffe running backwards at cover.

Captain Jay O’Brien followed after he smashed a drive to Andrew Korol, who spilled it initally but snared the rebound.

It was 4-72 when Jayden Pinto was run out by a precise Jupp throw into McGlynn’s gloves.

Pointers were still going at about a run a ball despite the wickets thanks to Sam Millett (43) who dug in.

Andrew Korol sent down four overs of fire and brimstone but Millett countered, happy to step out of his crease and using the pace to work him through point.

Matt Russell (13) lent his support to take the tally to 5-104, which looked a decent score on a tricky surface, though they scored just 13 in the last three overs as they failed a big finish.

In reply, Shilling and Russell kept Sportsmans quiet in their first six overs with Russell rewarded when he had McAuliffe held by Joss with just 13 runs after five overs.

However, Flynn Dillon (52 off 35 balls) came in and completely changed the game, taking away all the pressure the Pointers had built up.

He hit his second ball for four and then laid into Antonio Paradella, with Clint Yeates happy to work the ball around his end.

By the time Yeates (17) was athletically caught by diving Russell in front of the grandstand off Mitch McAuliffe (3-22), Sportsmans’ run rate had gone from 2.83 to 4.90.

The Pointers needed more wickets but Riley Barham (23 off 17 balls) added 51 with Dillon and the game was effectively killed when Dillon launched Thomas for three sixes in an over, including a monster straight drive in one of the cleanest hitting displays you will see.

He ended with three fours and four sixes to overcome Sporties’ tepid start in a 105-run chase.

Sportsmans’ captain Clint Yeates praised Bluff Point for their improvement in recent seasons but said Dillonw was a special player.

“Bluff Point are headed in the right direction and credit to Jay O’Brien and Jayden Pinto for that but Flynn took the game away from them,” he said.

“I thought 105 was a really good score to keep our bowlers performing really well and our catching was good.

“We know what (Dillon) is capable of, you really just have to tell him to keep still and play his natural game and he will look after the rest,” said Yeates.

“It was an outstanding innings along with Barham, who’s not known for his striking, but did a fantastic job as second fiddle to help us get over the line.”

It is the Sportsmans’ third T20 title after winning the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons.