Tons of run as Kendenup’s Scott Hillman and Wanderers’ Kyle Sinclair whack centuries in high-scoring match

Two centuries were scored in a high-scoring thriller between Kendenup and Katanning Wanderers, as Kendenup prevailed in round three of the Great Southern Cricket Association on Saturday. A sensational century from Kendenup opener Scott Hillman helped guide his side to a four-wicket victory at Quartermaine Oval but the match went down to the wire. Remarkably, Wanderers opener Kyle Sinclair also chalked up triple figures in the same game but his side were unable to hang on, going down to last season’s grand finalists. Wanderers posted 4-204, batting first on the back of Sinclair’s brilliance. Sinclair led from the front at the top of the order, carrying his bat to finish on 114 from 136 balls, which included 11 fours. Toby Quartermaine was the first man to fall for 14. Sinclair and Callum Froby added 50 before the latter was caught for 18. Ryan Chapman joined Sinclair at the crease and they took their side to 3-120 before Chapman fell for 21. Wanderers lost 3-22 starting with Chapman but Sinclair and Elijah Quartermaine (16 not out) took their side past 200, sharing in a 62-run stand, which gave them what looked like a match-winning total. Clint Gilbert was the best with the ball for Kendenup, claiming 4-29 from nine overs including four maidens. Chasing 205 for victory, Hillman smashed 102 from 108 balls, including 16 fours and a six, to ensure his side was in a strong position. Kendenup lost opener Ben Oldfield for a duck in the run chase but Hillman took over from there. Hillman was joined at the crease by Michael Wright, with the latter playing a strong support role as Hillman scored easily and had a lot of the strike. The pair put on 107 runs before Wright was caught for 14. Hillman fell soon after, leaving his side at 3-130. Kendenup fell into deep trouble as they lost their next three wickets for 23 runs with victory starting to look unlikely. However, the Gilbert brothers, Clint and Matt, had other ideas. The Gilberts produced a match-winning 45-run partnership to guide their side home with just six balls remaining, finishing on 6-205 from 44 overs. Matt scored heavily late to finish on 27 not out from 33 balls while Clint posted 35 not out from 42 balls. Ben Quartermaine produced a terrific spell of bowling returning figures of 3-21 from eight overs.