Geraldton fall short of country week final as B section earns their place

Geraldton almost made it all the way to the final of country week despite a losing record as they took home fourth place after falling to Bunbury in the semi-final. Geraldton made the semi-final with a 1-2 record thanks to bonus points and faced the undefeated Bunbury in their semi-final. Bunbury dominated the group stages posting average scores of over 230 while Geraldton was averaging nearly 100 runs less at 141. But Geraldton won the toss and elected to bat and put in their best performance with the bat since their opening win over the second Bunbury side. After a solid start Clayton Bruce-Cherry and captain Jai Russell combined for an 82-run fourth-wicket partnership, though both fell just short of 50s with Bruce-Cherry’s 47 being the best. They had Bunbury 2-11 in reply thanks to Ringo Mckenna but failed to make regular incisions thereafter, with Bunbury batting around opener Bradman May’s 77. By the time he was removed by Kodi Giltrow there were only 30 runs to play with and despite a couple of late wickets they couldn’t stop Bunbury from coming away with a three-wicket win. Russell said it was a hard loss having pushed Bunbury all the way. “Luck fell our way to make a semi against Bunbury when we played our best game; to lose by three wickets with nine balls left across 120 overs was hard to swallow,” the captain said. “But credit to Bunbury, who easily won the final and were the best team. “Batting is a concern across Geraldton cricket, we made just two 50s with many starts ended by disappointing dismissals.” The A-side would ultimately finish fourth after a third-placed play-off loss against Esperance. A 55 from Jay O’Brien lifted them to a total of 140, Esperance chased the total down in 14 overs, winning by six wickets. Despite a tough finish to the tournament, Russell said there were building blocks to improve on for the future. “Since our last A-section win in 2018, we’ve lost (Shayne) Bidwell, (Cody) Bone, (Dan) Welsh, (Aaron) McAuliffe, (Hudson) Toomey and (Ryan) Hosking while (Clint) Yeates and I are in our late 30s. “That’s a hard class to replace but with Jay O’Brien’s leadership, CBC’s X-factor and good young bowlers, the foundation is there.”’ Geraldton’s second side, promoted to B-section after other associations pulled out, bettered expectations. They earnt their place in the B section avoiding relegation with a 2-3 record thanks to a win over Eastern Districts in their semi-final. Chasing 105 or victory they were wobbling at 7/80 but a cool hand from captain Aaron McAuliffe, who top scored with 34 not out, ensured their victory. “We played positive cricket but fielding was a weakness, dropping multiple catches plus misfields despite the team’s energy and unity,” McAuliffe said. Highlights were Gus Heberle’s 6-58 against Great Southern and in the game against Eastern Districts, Dan Welsh’s 200th country week wicket, but nothing beat McAuliffe’s gutsy 106 against South Midlands. “That was the toughest hundred I’ve made considering I went in at 3-8 but I knew if someone could hold up an end (as Welsh did), we’d make something respectable,” McAuliffe said. “Looking ahead, I see Heberle captaining the A side in the future, he’s an energetic cricket nuffy who wants knowledge from experienced cricketers. “The future looks bright in B-section next year if the best players are available for both teams.”