Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket: Sportsmans break six-year drought to claim eighth A-grade one day title

Sportsmans are the Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League champions for an eighth time after last Saturday’s six-wicket win over Wanderers. The grand final, played on a true Murray Towton pitch at the Rec, drew the biggest crowd seen in many years. Saturday’s result caps off a terrific season for Sporties, who also won the Young Motors T20 grand final against Towns just over a fortnight ago. Sportsmans’ Ben O’Brien won the Bob Taylor Best Player Medal, bowling with precision and sharp pace that hurried and put pressure on most batters. His 4-15 equalled the Scorpions’ best in 15 deciders played since the club was founded in 1989-90. The others with 4-15 are Chris D’Mello (v Mullewa 2001-02) and Jono Jones (v Wanderers 2018-19). Credit also to Sportsmans captain Riley Barham who deployed his skilled attack perfectly. “Thanks to Wanderers for the game, they’ll always be a force but we had a fantastic year and did the hard work needed in the past five years to be here,” said Barham at the medal presentation. “We had seasons when we were near the bottom but stuck together and it’s great we have so many supporters here to share this with.” Wanderers’ Kade Gillingham won the toss and batted but they lost an early wicket in the second over when Ian Oglesby steered Zak Williamson (2-18) to gully where O’Brien held a two-handed overhead chance. Zane Marwick (25) and Damien King (11) steadily added 33 and seemed settled until King nicked O’Brien to wicketkeeper Darcy Ingle. Clint Yeates (0-14 off 10 overs), who opened the bowling, finished a brilliant unchanged spell soon after. Barham replaced him with Dan Welsh (3-17) who delivered on his second ball when Marwick lifted a drive to Jarrod Jupp running in for a well-judged catch. With Jupp unable to bowl, Barham used Josh McGlynn and Greenlees, who made the next incision when he got Gus Heberle (15) leg before wicket. Next over, Welsh had Gillingham (17) caught by Barham and the Yellowcaps were 5-69. There was no recovery. Colin Culloton lost off-stump playing late to an O’Brien rocket and Jet Plunkett was leg before to Welsh. Wanderers’ last hope was Shayne Bidwell (11), as always keen to take on the bowlers. He hit a couple of fours but he was bowled by O’Brien and Wanderers were done soon after for 91 in the 42nd over. O’Brien (15) and Ryan Dixon (25) opened for Sporties in the chase and O’Brien was in a hurry but caught behind by Gillingham off Bidwell. Bidwell and Marwick both conceded 15 runs off eight and 10 overs respectively but Sportsmans had plenty of time to chase down the final total. Dixon was neatly caught and bowled by Marwick then, with the target in sight, Yeates (25) and Dillon (16) perished. That left Simon Evans and Ingle to finish the job which Ingle did with a pulled six off Mitch Thompson to chase the 92 run total in 28.5 overs.