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GSCA 2023-24: Wanderers and Kojonup each bag wins as top four sides gear up for finals

Harry GrigsonGreat Southern Herald
Wanderers celebrate a wicket earlier this season.
Camera IconWanderers celebrate a wicket earlier this season. Credit: Harry Grigson/Great Southern Herald

It was a day for the captains as Kojonup and Wanderers each secured spectacular wins in the last round of the Great Southern Cricket Association season on Saturday.

Wanderers claimed derby spoils after a sensational 74-run ninth-wicket partnership handed them a gripping one-wicket win over their Katanning rivals Australs.

Wanderers captain Ryan Sinclair provided a remarkable unbeaten 83, following on from his first innings four-wicket haul, to steer his side to the victory.

Caleb Keley (44) and Ben Quartermaine (45) also provided cameos that were vitally important throughout the innings.

At 8-152 and chasing 228 for victory, Wanderers looked in dire straights before Quartermaine joined his captain at the crease to add 74 runs.

When Quartermaine was run out by Holly Pearce one run shy of Australs’ total, Sinclair kept a cool head and belted a boundary to secure the nailbiting triumph in the 36th over.

Sinclair’s innings came from 96 balls with 10 fours, while Quartermaine scored his 45 off just 29 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

Keley’s swashbuckling 44 came from just 24 deliveries as the heavy hitter cleared the rope on five occasions and hit one four.

Australs skipper James Douglas led his bowling attack with 3-47 from nine overs while Jonty Bolto and Holly Pearce each took two wickets.

Earlier Wanderers sent Australs in to bat and witnessed a batting masterclass from opener Douglas who scored a magnificent 94.

His wonderful knock came from just 83 balls and included 11 fours and one maximum before Sinclair claimed his scalp six agonising runs shy of a century.

Crawford Bolto chipped in with a brilliantly made 45 as the pair added 73 runs for the third wicket before Sinclair claimed them both in quick succession.

The rest of the batting order failed to add any considerable scores with David Potter (17) the only one to score double figures.

Sinclair had a memorable outing with 4-42 to add to his courageous knock.

Kojonup claimed a 38-run win over Kendenup on their home turf, leapfrogging their opponents and Tambellup to go second on the ladder heading into finals.

After winning the toss, Kojonup launched out of the blocks with a 47-run stand between Heath Brown (12) and captain Liam Want (30) before the pair were dismissed in successive overs without a run being added.

Kendenup continued their wicket-taking flurry spearheaded by Jeremy Groves (3-21 from nine overs) as Kojonup lost 6-30 through the middle overs.

Stratton Jones provided resilience for the home side with a patient 18 from 56, Josh Mathews added 20 and No.9 Matthew Marinoni scored a quickfire 29.

Marinoni’s knock came from just 17 balls and included three fours and two sixes to elevate his side to a competitive total before they were skittled for 150 in the 41st over.

Ryan Bedford was Kendenup’s only other multiple wicket taker with 2-7 from two overs.

In their defence, Kojonup ran through their opponent’s batting line-up led by Want who claimed a spectacular six-wicket haul.

Want took 6-17 in his superb 8.1-over spell.

Kendenup’s Samuel Lehmann top-scored for his side with a run-a-ball 22 while Jared Ballard contributed 21.

The competition will for the long weekend before returning next weekend for finals.

Reigning premiers Broomehill will host Kojonup and Tambellup will take on Kendenup in Tambellup on Saturday, March 9 before the preliminary final is played on the Sunday.

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