GSCA 2024-25: Ryan Sinclair’s five wickets keeps Wanderers in finals hunt, Flynn Cristinelli smacks century

Katanning Wanderers kept their finals hopes alive with a brilliant 21-run win over Kojonup in the penultimate round of the Great Southern Cricket Association on Saturday.

The Wanderers needed a win to stay in touch with the top four and got the job done in Kojonup as captain Ryan Sinclair starred with five wickets.

The Cougars won the toss and bowled first, the visitors setting a strong total after some handy middle order contributions.

Brock Green was unbeaten on 47, hitting nine boundaries in his innings that pushed the score beyond 150.

Earlier, Englishman Joe Raynor made 33 to go with Caleb Keley’s 27 and Sinclair added 19.

The Wanderers were eventually bowled out for 191 in 42 overs as Travis Abbott led the Cougars attack with 3-23 from seven overs.

Bon Lucev was out for a duck early in the chase and Geoffrey Pethick only managed 10 but the home side forged a strong partnership with Harry Taylor and Abbott.

Taylor hit five fours and two sixes in his entertaining 52 from 42 balls and Abbott was more patient with 32 from 52 balls.

When Taylor was bowled by Sinclair, the Cougars were 3-70 but it triggered a collapse as Sinclair ran through their middle order.

The Cougars lost 5-23 and when Abbott was dismissed by Tyron Pinney, the home side still had plenty to do at 8-122.

Late cameos from Peter Robertson (22) and Josh Matthews (32n.o.) almost steered the Cougars to victory but the Wanderers held firm to notch their sixth win of the season.

Sinclair claimed 5-32 from nine overs and Green was terrific with 1-26 from his nine.

The Wanderers are fifth on the ladder, two points adrift of fourth placed Tambellup.

Tambellup kept hold of fourth spot thanks to an unbeaten century from Flynn Cristinelli against Australs North.

Played in Tambellup, the Lions were bowled out for 164 but that target proved far too small as Cristinelli belted a superb ton.

Cristinelli whacked 15 fours on his way to 103 not out from 84 balls as Tambellup passed the victory target inside 24 overs.

It was a comprehensive 10-wicket win as Shane Willmott finished 46 not out.

Earlier, UK all-rounder Archie Attwell made a run-a-ball 77 that included seven boundaries and Axle Pearce chipped in with 31 for the Lions.

Tambellup opener Nathan Willmott snared 2-18 from while Devon Cristinelli (3-32) and Shane Willmott (3-18) also shone with the ball.

Broomehill guaranteed they will finish on top after a commanding 78-run win over Kendenup in the other round 14 fixture.

James Barritt scored a half century and Mac Crichton took four wickets as the Bandicoots proved too strong in Kendenup.

Clinton Gilbert (4-22) did his best to restrict the Bandicoots but they finished 158 all out after James Barritt made 60 and Lewis Barritt added 27.

Only Jeremy Groves (21) and Clinton Gilbert (21) passed 20 for the home side as they were bowled out for 80.

Crichton snared 4-20 from nine overs and was well supported by David Hinchliffe (3-17).

Heading into the final round of the regular season, second spot is up for grabs between the Cougars and Kendenup who are equal on points, while Tambellup and the Wanderers appear set to fight it out for fourth spot.