Flynn Cristinelli ton and Nathan Willmott hat-trick power Tambellup to fourth win of season

A sparkling century from Flynn Cristinelli on Saturday helped Tambellup stitch up a finals spot in the Great Southern Cricket Association competition.

Cristinelli finished unbeaten on 110 as Tambellup demolished Australs by 167 runs in their fourth win of the season.

Tambellup opened up a sizeable gap between third and fifth place, with Australs lagging 13 points behind in fifth with just two rounds left to play before finals.

Australs were set 216 for victory at Tambellup and the home side were on fire with the ball, demolishing their rivals for a paltry 48 as Nathan Willmott snared a hat-trick in the third over.

Tambellup lost the early wickets of Connor Hawkins (1) and Jedd Herbert (11) before Cristinelli and Nathan Willmott put on 69 together.

Willmott (31) was removed by Thomas Hamon but that failed to halt Tambellup’s momentum, with Cristinelli and Shane Willmott (27) combining for 80 before the latter fell in the 39th over.

Australs took one more wicket — that of Devon Cristinelli (13) as Tambellup finished at 5-215 at the conclusion of the 45 overs.

Cristinelli hit an impressive 14 fours in his knock of 110 from 142 deliveries, while Nathan Willmott added 31 off 40 with three fours.

Hamon was the only multiple wicket-taker for Australs with 2-9.

Andrew Gibbons and Darcy Middleton started patiently in the first two overs for Australs but disaster struck three balls later.

Nathan Willmott trapped Gibbons LBW to snare the first wicket and then James Douglas suffered the same fate out, for a golden duck.

Nathan Willmott’s hat-trick ball came with the third delivery of the third over as Brad Garstone couldn’t get bat on ball and he was removed LBW.

Australs’ last seven wickets fell for just 38 as they were bundled out for 48.

Nathan Willmott finished with superb figures of 5-14 off eight overs, including four maidens.

Meanwhile, Broomehill continued their undefeated season with a 69-run win over Wanderers.

Broomehill won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 195 all out before skittling Wanderers for 126 in reply.

Jack Batchelor was up to his usual tricks with a rampant 39 off 25 with eight fours, while Josh Matthews top-scored with 55 off 90 (six fours).

Toby Quartermaine contributed with 38 off 41 (six fours) in Wanderers’ run chase but they were all out inside 28 overs.

James Barritt was outstanding with the ball for Broomehill, snared 5-18 for Broomehill.