Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League: Top three locked in as Towns thwart Valley’s last ditch finals push

The Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League top three is locked in after Towns emerged on top against Chapman Valley-Northampton, who were vying for a last minute finals push last weekend. Sportsmans had already secured the minor premiership with Towns and Wanderers slotting in second and third respectively. The Young Motors T20 Series finallists were also decided with Towns set to play Sportsmans on March 6 after a five-wicket win over Chapman Valley at Wonthella last Friday night. CVN batted after captain Brad Boyer won the toss and were left to rue not finding another 15 runs as their 71 was worth more on a sluggish outfield. Adam Goacher (12), Hayden Krieg (12) and Jonte Eastough (10 not out) managed double figures but Towns bowled well with wickets to Sam Crouch (4-9), Tom Forsyth (2-8) and Kodi Giltrow (2-18). A highlight was a marvellous catch by wicket keeper Nate Thomas-Magee, diving well to his right to remove big hitting Mark Lucas. Towns lost early wickets in the reply to Scott Harrison (2-13). Then a stand of 44 between Giltrow (34 off 37 balls) and Austin Breen (22) wiped most of the target despite the efforts of Goacher (2-14). Towns and CVN met again in a 50-over game on Saturday at Mazzuchelli Oval which Towns won by eight runs after Crouch won the toss and batted. Towns made 151 as Darcy Giltrow (36) opened and made brisk runs with more from Breen (20) and Kodi Giltrow (22). Towns was 7-109 so Callum Marquis (23), who batted low in the order to protect an injured shoulder, did well finding handy runs with the tail. Boyer (3-33) and Goacher (3-27) were the pick of the bowlers. Though CVN lost an early wicket when Forsyth (3-31) bowled Krieg, CVN were well placed after Goacher (45) and Nigel Routledge (27) added 59. Goacher was castled by James Gardiner followed soon after by Routledge, who fell LBW to part-timer Dan Brimson. Courtney McLead (16) tried to keep CVN afloat but was among a 5-12 collapse that ended the innings as Crouch (3-26) and Forsyth went to work. Wanderers had no problems against Bluff Point in Saturday’s other 50-over game at GBSC Park. Pointers captain Cody Doran elected to bat but his side tallied just 119 despite the efforts of Seb Bainbridge (31). Earlier, Jayden Pinto (16) made a start but fell to an Anthony Jones catch off Damien King (3-17). The Pointers lost 5-9 to end their innings with Rex Heberle (3-17) enjoying success while Shane Bidwell and Zane Marwick bowled 20 overs between them for just 29 runs. Wanderers lost an early wicket in the reply but King (65 not out) and Marwick (39 not out) added an unbeaten 105 to complete a nine-wicket win. King’s innings ended a run drought of 16 innings in which his best was 17.