Geraldton cricket: Wanderers firm final hopes with T20 and 50-over wins against Sportsman

Wanderers firmed their Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League finals hopes with two wins over Sportsmans on the weekend.

The first was at Wonthella on Friday night in the Young Motors Series.

Wanderers’ Kade Gillingham won the toss, batted and his side made 4-136 thanks to a record T20 opening stand of 118 between Clayton Bruce-Cherry (77 off 58 balls) and Shayne Bidwell (38).

Only Glenn Wishart (3-14), who bowled Bidwell, escaped the mauling. He also made 35 as Sportsmans replied with 8-89, although Aaron McAuliffe (19) worked hard. Ian Oglesby (3-21) and Justin Clarkson (2-13) bowled well.

Wanderers’ other win was on Saturday in the 50-over game, also at Wonthella.

Sportsmans’ Riley Barham elected to bat and would have been happy with 161, seeing his side was 5-17 at one stage.

Justin Clarkson (4-22) shone early, while Damien King and Jason Partington took a wicket each and there was a run out when Bruce-Cherry and Gillingham combined.

McAuliffe (21) and Brad Roworth (55) steadied with a 40-run stand, which ended when McAuliffe was caught by Wes Fleiser off Oglesby. Dan Welsh perished soon after and Sporties were 7-64.

Roworth was joined by Flynn Dillon (55) and they added 56. Roworth fell to Bruce-Cherry but by the time Dillon was last man out, Sportsmans had something to defend.

On another day it might have been enough but Wanderers are gathering strength.

Oglesby (24) opened and made runs but others failed. When Gillingham fell to Welsh (2-35) Wanderers were 5-86.

Bruce-Cherry (65) added 39 with Matt Partington and 24 with Fleiser (19 not out).

Bruce-Cherry was dismissed by Xavier Bochat (2-15) and Bidwell (21) and Fleiser did the rest. They made 8-184.

The other 50-over game between Towns and Bluff Point at the Rec was low-scoring. Only one batter from each side made double figures.

Bluff Point’s Jay O’Brien chose to bat but his side was all out for 44, although the pitch was good. Only Callum Joss (18) made headway. Josh DeLacy (5-13) and Ringo McKenna (3-12) cashed in.

Towns lost four wickets before the result was sealed and might have lost more but for captain Sam Crouch (24).

Towns finished with 95 and a 51-run win.

Antonio Paradella (4-24) and Aaron Thomas (5-41) were best of the bowlers.