Bluff Point restricts Sportsmans to get over the line in low-scoring thriller as Towns dominate Rams

Bluff Point enjoyed their first win of the season with a 43-run victory over Sportsmans in a low-scoring match. The Pointers, who were coming off a tight loss against Towns in the opening round after falling away late in their chase, elected to bat first on a green-looking Wonthella pitch. They got off to a steady start, putting on 25 for the opening wicket before Louis Pepper (4) was bowled by Clint Yeates for his second single-figure score. A brief partnership followed between Jay O’Brien and Callum Joss before Jarrod Jupp trapped O’Brien in front for 6. It precipitated a collapse as they lost 4-14, with Matt Russell, Joss and Carl Shilling falling in quick succession, with Jupp picking up another two wickets and Yeates removing Joss. Sam Millett often shines when needed and coming to the crease at 5-57 set about a repair job with Jayden Pinto. Pinto was removed for 13 but Millet continued on, bringing up his 50 before falling to Jupp as he dragged his team to 138 off 41 overs. Jupp (4-34) was the pick of the bowlers to continue his excellent early form, picking up eight wickets at an average of 7.88. Sportsmans failed to chase 141 in the opening round and were once again unable to get stuck into a modest total, collapsing for 95. On a pitch just offering a hint of movement off the deck, Mitchell McAuliffe was supreme in removing both openers, including captain Riley Barham, in quick succession to leave them 2-20 at the tea break. Jupp was then caught at slip off Matt Russell, followed by Yeates who was well held by McAuliffe off Joss (1-17). Russell then had Korol trapped in front to leave Sportsmans reeling at 5-45. It was all over once George Gooch (15), who top-scored, was caught off the bowling of Antonio Paradella as they were all out for 95. Sportsmans have now lost their two opening matches and while their bowling unit looks strong, it is not being backed up with the bat after failing in two low-scoring chases. At the Recreation Ground, Towns bulldozed their way to an emphatic 118-run victory over Chapman Valley-Northampton on the back of captain Sam Crouch (59). They had looked in trouble early at 3-42 and when first-game hero Brady Collins fell for 37 the game was in the balance at 5-104. But Crouch and Jay Comben (43) put on 64 for the sixth wicket, with Comben going better than a run a ball. He fell but the carnage continued as Daniel Lennard came in and blitzed his way to 31 off 18 balls as the Rams left the field looking shell-shocked. They made an admirable start to the chase at 2-77 of the back of 40 from Axis Hutchinson but when he fell it sparked a stunning collapse. The Rams lost 6 for 10, with Gerard McKenna ripping through the Ram’s middle order to kill the contest. Mitch Marsh (25) was the only other Rams batter to reach double figures as they folded for 125 inside 33 overs. Rain washed out the start of the South Midlands cricket season, with just 12 overs bowled across the three matches scheduled. However, there was still one result with Dandaragan forfeiting against Moora Knights to give them the win. There was also time for Watheroo to officially return to the field after eight years, with Campbell McCuish taking 38 in their clash against Gingin before the match was abandoned.