GSCA 2024-25: Tambellup secure second successive victory, Broomehill and Katanning Wanderers notch wins

Tambellup secured back-to-back victories with a commanding 21-run win over Kojonup in the Great Southern Cricket Association’s fourth round of T20s on Saturday. After losing the toss and being sent in on their home deck, Tambellup crunched 6-170 behind half-centuries from brothers Flynn and Devon Cristinelli before restricting the Cougars to just 6-139. Flynn Cristinelli smashed 50 from 41 balls at the top of the order before his brother finished their dominant batting innings with an unbeaten 67 from just 33 balls. The pair combined for nine fours and six maximums, while Jedd Herbert contributed a patient 33 not out from 42 balls. In response, a brilliant batting performance by Cougar Charlie Walton wasn’t enough to curtail Tambellup’s bowlers who quelled most of the Cougars’ batsmen with consistent wickets and tight bowling. Walton walloped 62 from 37 balls including three fours and six sixes before being dismissed by Herbert. Harry Taylor, who captained the Cougars in place of the absent Liam Want, scored a crucial 41 from 29 balls before Tambellup iced the game. Broomehill continued their dominance with a crushing 10-wicket victory over Australs North at home, chasing the Lions’ score in rapid time. After holding the visitors to just 136 runs through 20 overs, the Bandicoots, who were on pace for 280 runs, reached the Lions’ total in just the 11th over. 2024 Southern Smash draftee Jack Batchelor belted 62 not out from 31 balls and was partnered superbly by a swashbuckling James Barritt, who whacked an unbeaten 63 from 34 balls. They each belted 12 fours and two sixes as the Lions failed to find any answers to the dominant duo. Earlier, the Lions started well with a 112-run stand between openers James Douglas (52) and Kane Scott (61) but were starved of any more contributions before finishing their 20 overs six down. In the final match of the round, fourth-placed Katanning Wanderers defeated third-placed Kendenup by six wickets in Kendenup. The Tigers held the hosts to 7-114 before emphatically chasing the score, passing the total with 19 balls to spare. Joe Raynor was outstanding for the Tigers, taking 3-15 from four overs before plundering 64 not out at the top of the order. Jeremy Groves top-scored for Kendenup with 51 from 45 balls. The Cougars played their rescheduled round three T20 match against the Lions in Broomehill on Saturday afternoon. Cougars’ Jamie Young belted 62 at the top of the order in their stirring first innings total of 7-178 before captain Harry Taylor claimed 3-5 from two overs to help restrict the Lions to 8-116 through their 20 overs.