GSCA 2024-25: Katanning Wanderers’ Joe Raynor and Kojonup’s Geoffrey Pethick hit tons to secure big victories

Katanning Wanderers’ Joe Raynor and Kojonup’s Geoffery Pethick scored crucial centuries to help their sides clinch victories in round seven of the Great Southern Cricket Association on Saturday. Englishman Raynor crunched an unbeaten 111 from 108 balls to guide the Tigers to a thrilling two-run win over Kendenup in Katanning and notch their second consecutive victory. Pethick’s unbeaten 118, which came from just 83 deliveries, spearheaded the Cougars’ near-flawless run chase in Kojonup as the hosts chased down Australs North’s total in the 25th over. After strolling to the crease when the Tigers were 2-41, Raynor belted 11 fours and one six, and combined with Ely Anderson (33no) for a pivotal 101-run partnership for the sixth wicket to help the hosts post 5-226. In reply, Kendenup mounted a brilliant chase after Jakob Douglas (96) and Dwayne Sobey’s (56no) 103-run eighth-wicket partnership. Needing seven runs off the final Anderson over, Sobey faced four straight dot balls and, despite hitting a boundary off the last delivery, Kendenup fell two runs shy. Aggressive opener Pethick belted 11 fours and five maximums against the Lions’ attack before captain Liam Want joined him at the crease and added a quickfire 22 to secure the eight-wicket win. Despite a gallant 86 not out from Lions veteran James Douglas, the Lions were starved of further contributions. Their batting card was littered with five ducks, including both openers, Archie Atwell and Carson Dewar. English all-rounder Kane Scott grafted 37 runs before being dismissed by Ash Sexton, while Want finished with figures of 3-7 from 2.5. In the final match of the round, a major batting collapse from Tambellup handed Broomehill victory on the road. Chasing 263 for victory, Tambellup made a sound start through skipper Flynn Cristinelli and Shane Willmott, who added 78 for the first wicket before Rohan Bignell trapped Flynn Cristinelli in front on 57. Willmott, who scored an important 91, continued to tick the scoreboard over with Jedd Herbert, with the pair adding 82 for the third wicket. But when youngster Bryce Hinchcliffe bowled Herbert for 27, it started a batting collapse, with Tambellup losing 8-30 to be bowled out for 237. Bandicoot’s all-rounder Jack Batchelor snared 4-29 from 8.2 overs as the visitors pinched a 26-run win in Tambellup. Earlier, Batchelor scored 87 at the top of the order, whacking 10 fours and one six in a 124-run opening stand with veteran David Hinchcliffe (37). Max Jordison closed their dominant batting innings with an unbeaten 67 from 68 balls to help the Bandicoots post 3-263 from their 45 overs.