GSCA 2023-24: Kojonup’s big score too much at home, Broomehill win again and Tambellup fire with ball in hand

A superb century from Harry Taylor guided Kojonup to their sixth win of the 2023-24 Great Southern Cricket Association competition on Saturday. Kojonup were at home against Kendenup in the round seven contest and a brilliant batting display led them to a dominant 131-run victory. Taylor’s century along with half centuries from Liam Want and Craig Clinch powered Kojonup to a mammoth total of 7-321 from their 45 overs. An 80-run opening stand got the home side off to a flying start as Want belted seven boundaries in his 59 from 43 balls. Kendenup’s Arthur Liddiard bowled Heath Brown for 12 and then Dwayne Sobey had Geoffrey Pethick out for four to leave the home side 3-159. There was no stopping Taylor however, as he partnered with Clinch to push the score beyond 250. The pair combined for 106 runs as Taylor blasted his way to a century before eventually falling to Jared Ballard. Taylor was dismissed for 132 from 101 deliveries, his innings including 11 fours and six sixes. Clinch made 50 before he became the second scalp for Jakob Douglas and a late cameo from Matthew Marinoni (25 not out) had Kojonup well on top. In a tough day for the bowlers, Ballard was the stand-out with 2-37 from his nine overs while Douglas returned 2-27 from six. Nathan Smith made two crucial early breakthroughs for Kojonup, snaring the big wicket of Kendenup skipper Clinton Gilbert for six. Smith then caught and bowled Darcey Burcham for 17 and when Douglas departed for 34 off just 29 balls, Kendenup had limped to 3-60. Ballard and Liddiard produced a fighting 114-run partnership to give the visitors a glimmer of hope. Ballard was removed by Lee Lucev on 30 and Liddiard hit nine boundaries in his entertaining 72 from 60 balls before he was bowled by Clinch. Kendenup lost 6-16 from Ballard’s dismissal to be all out for 190. Clinch bowled 3.3 overs to return 3-5 while Lucev (3-45) and Smith (2-43) were also vital contributors for the winners. Meanwhile Broomehill coasted to a nine-wicket win at home, easily taking care of Australs. Charles Russell snared 4-0 in two overs and Slade Green chipped in with 2-13 as Australs were bowled out for 80 batting first. James Douglas (16), Brendan Brookfield (14) and David Potter (16) were the only batters to reach double figures in the small total. Mac Crichton and Ben Holmes made a strong start in the chase, putting on 41 runs before Holmes fell to Andrew Gibbons for 15. Crichton finished on 36 not out and Green smashed 22 from 18 balls to get Broomehill to the small target in 14.2 overs. In the other round seven fixture, Tambellup scored a win on the road as they beat Wanderers by eight wickets. Wanderers won the toss and batted first with Ryan Chapman top-scoring with 42 and he got vital support from Calvin D’Sylva (37). Bayley Drew snared 3-38 and Shane Willmott chipped in with 2-38 as they bowled Wanderers out for 169. Connor Hawkins (1) fell cheaply but Tambellup powered to victory on the back of an unbeaten 89 from Flynn Cristinelli. Flynn Cristinelli hit 11 boundaries in his matchwinning knock while Willmott (38) and Devon Cristinelli (23 not out) helped get their side to the target in the 35th over. Nicolo Guazzelli (1-13) and Ryan Sinclair (1-34) were the only wicket takers for Wanderers.