Top Towns halfway surprise

Towns unexpectedly lead Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League standings at the halfway point of the season. TOWNS (8W-1T-2L) Sam Crouch’s team has the ability to win from way behind, with Jai Russell often proving the catalyst. Six bats have 168 runs or more, headed by Russell (237 at 39.50), and recruit Brady Collins has shone. Russell (24 wickets at 8.12) has stood out with the ball, with help from Tom Forsyth, Collins and Ringo McKenna. Will make the top two, but can they head the table and go directly to the grand final? SPORTSMANS (7W-2L) Not as dominant as forecast but still the team to beat, with an injured Ben O’Brien to return and Glenn Wishart available. Aaron McAuliffe (447 runs at 63.85) leads the batting, with Clint Yeates close behind. Wishart tops the bowlers (11 wickets at 3.63), Jarrod Jupp has settled, and though not always needed for more than a few overs, Dan Welsh remains the league’s best spinner. CHAPMAN VALLEY-NORTHAMPTON (4W-7L) Tenuous hold on third place. Nigel Routledge has found form but is 13th on the association averages, which reveal CV-N’s weak batting though Jamie McMahon and the unrelated Hayden and Jack Dawson are capable. The bowling is better, especially if spinner Josh Carson keeps playing to assist McMahon (20 wickets) and Patrick Walsh. Ideally, match-winner Ryan Hosking will have fewer work commitments in the second half of the season. WANDERERS 4W-6L Just out of the top three but in the mix with Julian Crudeli back. He averages 116.60 with the bat and 10.93 with the ball. Shayne Bidwell’s unbeaten 136 against Sportsmans was one of the league’s greatest-ever tons. Jason Partington has also been solid. Matt Clarkson, Ian Oglesby and Tim Biddiscombe are taking wickets with Bidwell as needed. With Crudeli, they have a genuine fast bowler and they make bowling at the other end much easier. BLUFF PT (1W-1T-7L) Find ways to lose, but Mitch McAuliffe’s record 7-19 against Towns, a game they could have won, was special. He has 20 wickets, with Brett Marendaz also effective. Jay O’Brien (236 runs at 59), including a ton against CV-N, leads the batting, with Jayden Pinto next best. Add Theo Curtis at his best and Aaron Thomas when available, and the Pointers line up well. Will not make the cut, but have enough quality to disprove that.