Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League round 10: last chance for teams to grab points heading into break

This weekend’s round of Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League fixtures is the last of 2024.

The league will take more than a month’s break, with the next round beginning on January 31 — a hiatus allowing for the festive season and country week from January 19-24.

The opening game on Friday night is a Young Motors T20 clash at Wonthella between Sportsmans and Chapman Valley-Northampton.

Sportsmans need a win as they have fallen out of the top three, though they are level on points with Bluff Point but with an inferior quotient — bearing in mind the Pointers have played one more game.

CVN simply need a win as their lack of batting has denied them success so far.

Fifty-over cricket resumes on Saturday, with Towns at the Rec facing CVN, while Bluff Point meet Sportsmans at Muir Park.

Towns topped the table after last week’s win over Wanderers. Wanderers, batting first, were 5-14 before a stand between Zane Marwick and Shayne Bidwell helped them to 122.

“The pitch was a touch difficult to bat on early when humid weather made it conducive for seam bowling, then the pitch flattened out and the outfield was a belter,” Towns captain Ringo McKenna said.

“But we were relieved to get Bidwell out. He was batting well and taking the game on — great catch by (wicketkeeper) Jeremy Bedford down leg to dismiss him.”

Towns went on to a six-wicket win and their sixth successive victory.

Towns don’t have a batter anywhere near as good as Marwick, but have enough batters who can make important contributions and give their excellent attack every chance.

“We are playing decently, but still lots of things to improve on,” McKenna said.

In Sunday’s Women’s Young Motors T20 Series, CVN has the unenviable task of playing a rampant Wanderers at Mazzuchelli Oval. CVN will do well just to bat out their overs and take a few Wanderers wickets.

The other game is between Sporties, coming off a loss against Wanderers in which they made only 30, against Towns at Wonthella.

Towns beat CVN last week so will have confidence, but their batting must fire. In games against Sporties this season, they have made 9-69, 7-46, and 68.

B-grade has a general bye.