Great Southern miss out on finals

Great Southern Cricket Association will face Eastern Goldfields on Friday in a bid to finish B-section in fifth position after a commanding 140-run win over Avon in Thursday’s crossover games. Great Southern sat second on points in their division of the B-section competition after a loss on the first day to Bunbury and Districts before a courageous bowling effort helped them win their first game against Eastern Goldfields on Monday. Great Southern were in a strong position to finish inside the top two and have a chance at playing semifinals before a 60-run loss to the previously winless Warren Blackwood on Wednesday saw them pushed out of contention finishing third in their division. A superb century from Jed Herbert helped Great Southern post a mammoth score 8-323 while Muhammad Salman (36) and Kyle Sinclair (34) also chipped in. In reply the task was always going to hard for Avon, Nathan Willmott had them in early trouble at 4-28 before they finished on 8-193. Willmott ended up with 4-24 while Keegan Berry also claimed two scalps. Great Southern had their chance to finish second if they were to win against Warren Blackwood on Wednesday but only posted 9-182. Ricky Marris and Kim Lange top scored with 39 each, in reply Warren Blackwood had no problems chasing down the total finishing on 4-242 to end Great Southern’s chances of making the semifinals. A terrific effort with the ball from the Great Southern first XI on Monday guided them to victory in a low-scoring affair. Great Southern were determined not to start the week 0-2 but let themselves down with the bat against Eastern Goldfields. Batting first at Sutherlands Park, Great Southern were skittled for just 82 with Jedd Herbert top scoring with 23. The opening pair put on a 41-run partnership but Great Southern collapsed quickly as Eastern Goldfields bowler Corey Johnson claimed impressive figures of 8-41. Great Southern had their backs against the wall going into the field but led by spearheads Willmott and Clinton Gilbert, went on to register their first win. Eastern Goldfields were at 6-62 before Gilbert ripped through the tail to bowl them out for just 73 and steal the most unlikely of victories. Willmott cleaned up the top order taking 4-21 before skipper Gilbert kept a cool head to finish the game off with a crucial 3-11. On the opening day Great Southern faced Bunbury and Districts with the latter posting a monstrous score of 256 led by 92 from opener Clayton Caltsounis. Willmott led the bowling unit again with a four-wicket haul while Sinclair (48) and Gilbert (44) led the way with the bat but they were bowled out for 151. Great Southern’s second XI side are competing in F-section but have been unable to register a win. Great Southern could only manage 84 on Thursday in reply to Green Range-Ongerup’s 9-196. Only three batsmen reached double figures. On Wednesday Christmas Island handed Great Southern their third straight loss as they posted 9-221 batting first. Great Southern were bowled out for 88 with opener Lee Carson making 30. On the opening day they were unable to chase down Esperance’s total of 5-186, managing 93 in reply. Greg Melia top scored with 46 and Shane Willmott added 28. Great Southern posted 124 in their second game against Green Range-Ongerup led by James Douglas (24). In reply Green Range-Ongerup secured victory three wickets down with Borden’s Mitch Smith unbeaten on 69. Great Southern's second side face Esperance on Friday for third spot.