Towns defend 88 as Chapman Valley win in rain-shortened match in Geraldton cricket

Despite the rain, both Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League games produced results on Saturday as the bowlers dominated in overcast conditions.

At Muir Park, Chapman Valley Northampton were technically five-run winners over Bluff Point but in truth won by four wickets, with play called off after CVN passed the 127-run target.

CVN were coming off a tough loss after letting the Towns get away with the bat after being on top early with the ball but the Rams were ruthless here, rolling Bluff Point for 126 in trying conditions.

The wind was howling and the pitch was green and Zach Williamson had Callum Joss feathering behind in his second over before he got a ball to rear off a length to catch out Jay O’Brien, who was caught at slip to give Rams the perfect start.

Matt Russell (26) and Louis Pepper (14) steadied the ship before Pepper played a poor shot fending away to slip off Mitch Marsh, leaving them 3-42.

Carl Shilling made a swashbuckling 17 off 11 balls but went for one too many to be caught at mid-off before Jack Dawson had the key wicket of Russell, who mistimed a pull off the toe-end of the bat to be caught at gully.

He had Sam Millet two balls later thanks to some turn and bounce before removing Jordan Pinto in his next over to leave the Pointers reeling at 7-81.

Some handy runs from Aaron Joss (13) and Matthew Reid (20) ensured they passed the 100 mark, leaving them with something to defend on a wicket offering bounce and some turn for the bowlers.

Jack Dawson (3-33) and Patrick Walsh (3-15) were the pick of the bowlers, cleaning up the middle-lower order.

Rams made a reasonable start in the chase as openers, Hayden Dawson and Cody Slootmans put on 21 before Carl Shilling got Dawson (9) caught and bowled managing to catch the ball on the second attempt.

Shilling then removed Slootsmans (15) caught off an attempted pull but the Rams had knocked off a good chunk of the total sitting at 2-48 after 12 overs.

Routledge (20) shone until leg before to Russell to make it 3-54 then a bright stand of 53 between Jack Dawson (39 off 38 balls) and Jadyn Fitzsimmons (16 off 17 balls) proved vital in breaking the back of the chase.

They were out in quick succession to Shilling to make it 5-110 but Kurt Crudeli and Bobby Gibson got them home and with more rain falling, play ended.

Shilling ended with 4-46 but the Pointers couldn’t get as much from the wicket as their Ram counterparts.

Towns and Wanderers played yet another thriller, with Towns defending 88 to win by 10 runs at the Rec.

Wanderers’ Kade Gillingham sent Towns in and they made only 88, which was something of a recovery after being 5-14 with four wickets to Shayne Bidwell (4-9) who lifted his career tally to 594 wickets.

Jai Russell (15), Sam Crouch (22) and Josh DeLacy (18) found some runs but Wanderers would have been pleased with their work.

Ian Oglesby (2-14) and Clayton Bruce-Cherry (2-17) also did well.

Wanderers, however, also struggled on a bowler-friendly pitch and made just 78 in their reply, with only Jason Partington (20) reaching double figures.

Ringo McKenna (5-11 off 10 overs) was stunning with control allied to left-arm pace. His haul included Partington and he had great support from Tom Forsyth (2-28) and Brady Collins (2-22).