GSCA 2024-25: Broomehill post another big total in seventh straight win, Kojonup and Tambellup take victories

Reigning premiers Broomehill extended their lead at the top of the ladder after posting an enormous first innings total against Kendenup to register their seventh straight win in Broomehill on Saturday. The Bandicoots posted 6-273 after 45 overs against second-placed Kendenup, marking the third consecutive match they have posted at least 237 runs, before restricting their opponents to 6-186 in reply. The host’s entire top order fired with opener Jack Batchelor and No.4 Max Jordison each raising the bat for a half century while fellow opener Kyle Potter and No.3 Mac Crichton each fell three runs short of their milestones in the strong 87-run victory in round eight of the Great Southern Cricket Association. Batchelor scored 56 runs from 58 balls and joined Potter (47) for a superb 83-run partnership before adding another 52 runs for the third wicket with Crichton (47). Jordison, who scored a crucial 62 runs, then combined with captain Lewis Barritt (36) for a mighty 77-run fourth-wicket stand as the Bandicoots rapidly moved past 200 runs with relative ease. Kendenup tried almost everything to curtail the Bandicoots’ batting innings as they rotated through nine bowlers to find a breakthrough, with Beau Sobey‘s 2-19 from fours overs the best figures. In reply, Kendenup opened with Albany and Districts Cricket Association players Alex Fergie (Mt Barker) and Cam Walsh (Manypeaks) who had a bye. But after losing Walsh for one, the visitors were 1-9 early in their innings. Fergie continued to chip away contributing a vital 54 runs from 61 balls before Lewis Barritt dismissed the experienced right-hander. Clinton Gilbert added a much-needed run-a-ball 49 but Kendenup could only manage 9-186 from their 45 overs. Lewis Barritt led his side’s attack with 3-30 from nine overs and Oscar Argyle (2-24) and Bryce Hinchcliffe (2-35) were their other multiple wicket-takers. Kojonup secured an 80-run victory over Katanning Wanderers after posting an impressive 8-242 in Kojonup on Saturday. Mt Barker’s Jack Pope top scored with 71 from 84 balls while skipper Liam Want slapped 57 runs from 35 balls. Josh Matthews added 43 runs through the middle overs as the Cougars innings was restricted to just 42 overs after a delay in play. Joe Raynor was the pick of the Tigers bowlers with 3-37 from nine overs while Emily Pinney took 2-58 from nine overs. Despite finishing their innings at 8-242, the Cougars were defending 252 in 42 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis System. The Tigers lost openers Peter Anderson (one) and Tuhiwai McRoberts for a duck but consolidated through Raynor (35) and aggressive middle-order batsman Caleb Keley (34). Ely Anderson gave the Cougars a fright with a superb 45 from 38 balls, including three fours and four sixes, before he was clean-bowled by Matthew Cant. Cant ripped through the Tigers’ tail with 3-6 from three overs as the Cougars bowled the Tigers out for 186 in the 35th over. Tambellup smashed Australs North by eight wickets to emphatically snap a three-game losing streak and stay in touch with the top four. Jedd Herbert took 4-12 from eight overs as Tambellup rolled the Lions for 104 inside 33 overs as all seven of their bowlers claimed a wicket. Kane Scott top scored with 29 before being dismissed by Herbert and Axle Pearce chipped in with a vital 18. After losing openers Shane Willmott (9) and Flynn Cristinelli (18) cheaply, Tambellup’s Connor Hawkins (29 not out) and Herbert (37no) chased the remaining runs with ease, before passing the Lions score in the 22nd over.