GSCA 2023-24: Tambellup win thriller, Broomehill make it nine on the trot as qualification split looms

Tambellup, Kendenup and Broomehill secured victories in round 11 of the Great Southern Cricket Association as the competition enters the final qualification split rounds over the next three weeks. Clutch bowling from Tambellup’s Daniel Nazzari handed his side a three-run win at home over Kojonup which was decided on the final ball of the match. After Tambellup posted 170 in the batting innings, Kojonup’s run chase came down to the last over before Nazzari ended a 25-run last-wicket partnership gifting his side victory. Tambellup looked to have things wrapped up when Daniel Willmott claimed the wickets of Stratton Jones (31) and Ash Sexton (one) to have the visitors 9-142. Peter Robertson (35 not out) and Lee Lucev (13) dug deep for Kojonup to give their side hope of a triumphant run chase before Nazzari got the last laugh. Nathan Willmott was Tambellup’s pick of the bowlers claiming 4-19 off nine overs while Daniel Willmott claimed 3-45 including the big wicket of Kojonup captain Liam Want, who top-scored with 39 including four sixes. Connor Hawkins had a day out adding two wickets to his game-high 70 earlier in the day which included 10 boundaries. Devon Cristinelli chipped in 30 while Daniel Willmott scored 18. Opener Mitchell Blakers led Kojonup’s bowling attack claiming 4-28 from his nine overs. Broomehill made it nine on the trot after a crushing eight-wicket win over Wanderers in Katanning on Saturday. Broomehill’s bowling unit unleashed a relentless assault on Wanderers’ batting line-up, with six out of their seven bowlers claiming a scalp, dismissing the side for 113 in 38 overs. Ben Holmes starred with the ball taking 2-21 from nine overs, Bryce Hinchcliffe took 2-1 off 1.1 and Mac Crichton claimed 2-9 from his four. Wanderers’ skipper Ryan Sinclair top scored with 23 while Ryan Chapman (21) and Caleb Keley (19) were the other key contributors. In their pursuit, Broomehill lost opener Jack Batchelor for one but recomposed to chase the score down with ease. David Hinchcliffe scored a rapid 60 off 44 balls including eight fours and one six and Lewis Barritt scored an unbeaten 33 as their side reeled in the total in the 17th over. In the final game of the round, Kendenup defeated Australs by 49 runs in Katanning on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Kendenup were 5-61 after a brilliant bowling display from Australs’ bowling attack. But Kendenup’s No.3 Scott Hillman dug in for an important 45 before Sam Lehmann provided a late-innings masterclass smacking 58. His sparkling knock came from just 44 balls and included five fours and two sixes. Australs’ Holly Pearce, James Douglas, Luke Wheeler and David Potter each secured two wickets as they rolled the visitors for 175 in the 33rd over. Their top-order batters failed to convert their promising starts, and a subsequent collapse in the middle order from the hosts of 4-0, left them at 7-84. Devan Mills-Durack (13) and Brendan Brookfield (15) toiled for a 37-run eighth-wicket stand before they were eventually skittled for 126 in the 36th over. Ryan Bedford and Lehmann led Kendenup’s bowling attack with three wickets each. The ladder will now be cut in two for the qualifying split rounds over the next three weeks. Each team will play two games over the next three rounds to finalise the top four positions heading into finals. The top four is already confirmed with Broomehill, Kojonup, Tambellup and Kendenup but their final position in the standings can change over the next three rounds.