Wanderers thump Bluff Point by 159 runs in Geraldton men’s cricket, leaving Pointers with tough finals chase

Wanderers crushed Bluff Point by 159 runs in the Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League at Muir Park on Saturday, denting the Pointers’ finals hopes at a key stage of the season.

Wanderers were all out to the last ball of their innings for 357, the equal fourth-highest in league history after being set 199 to win,.

It was hefty even allowing for the flat pitch, and more so considering they were 3-58.

Then Shayne Bidwell (81 off 61 balls), in his 315th innings, was joined by Clayton Bruce-Cherry (100 off 90 balls) in his second.

They added 89 in less than 12 overs. Bidwell struck a six and 13 fours while Bruce-Cherry smashed four sixes and six fours.

There was no lull when either fell as Alex Solomon (24), Jason Partington (55 off 38 balls), captain Kade Gillingham (40 off 29 balls) and Digby Gallop (15) made hay.

Jake Whitney (3-10) had reward at the end after the cyclone had flattened Brett Marendaz, Mitch McAuliffe and Carl Shilling who each had two pricey wickets.

“It was a team effort to chase down 199, but disappointing to let them make 198 as our bowling and fielding was average,” Gillingham said.

“Biddy’s innings was amazing, he’s a freak and it showed his experience.

“Bruce-Cherry is from Scarborough and has moved to Geraldton with his work as a teacher, he’s a right-hand bat, bowls very handy mediums and is a gun field.”

Bluff Point batted after Brendan Millar won the toss and their 7-198 was due mostly to Jay O’Brien (77).

He secured his end giving Sam Millett (30), Millar (20), Carl Shilling (19) and Ryan Forrester (23) licence to play shots.

Ian Oglesby (3-32) shone while Justin Clarkson (2-26) continued his fertile season.

At Wonthella, Sportsmans’ Riley Barham thought it best to bat first on a well-used pitch. But only Barham (25) made double figures.

Brady Collins (3-20), Kodi Giltrow (3-11) and Austin Breen (2-19) bowled well as did Tom Forsyth who gave up only 13 runs from 10 overs.

Towns lost five wickets topping the target. Nathan Podmore (19), Jay Comben (23) and Collins (37) were solid and No.10 Josh DeLacy (24 not out) took them to 9-161.

Jarrod Jupp (3-34) gave Sportsmans hope while Ethan Johnson (2-33) and Shane Ford (3-22) were tidy.

In a Young Motors T20 at Wonthella on Friday, Sportsmans overran Bluff Point. The Pointers’ 4-90 was built around Millar (43) and Shilling (15).

Sportsmans made 2-109 with runs from Clint Yeates (40), Barham (36no) and Jupp (15no).