GSCA 2023-24: Newcomers Kojonup make it two from two, Kendenup teamwork topples Tambellup in round two action

Kojonup remain unbeaten in the Great Southern Cricket Association but will have to wait another week for a return to their home deck after stray sprinklers caused an early-morning stir on Saturday. The match was meant to be the Cougars first home game since their reintroduction to the GSCA but a wet pitch on Saturday morning meant the game was relocated to Broomehill Sporting Complex. Both sides entered the fixture after dominant round one wins, with the Broomehill claiming grand final rematch spoils over Kendenup and the Cougars thumping the Wanderers by 200 runs. Kojonup skipper Liam Want won the toss and sent the the home side into bat. The visitors got off to the perfect start when opener Lachlan O’Shea knocked Broomehill’s Jack Batchelor over for six in the third over. Kyle Potter (43 runs) and returning skipper James Barritt (34) formed a solid partnership, putting on 67 before the latter fell to Mitchell Blakers. Kojonup would keep the pressure on, taking regular wickets as Broomehill struggled to form any lengthy partnerships, eventually being bowled out for 153. O’Shea finished 3-31 from his seven overs, including both openers, while Want (3-21) and Josh Matthews (3-14) ran through lower order, Broomehill’s last five wickets falling for 14 runs. Kojonup got off to a strong start in the run chase, with openers Heath Brown and Want combining for a blueprint anchor-and-aggressor partnership. Brown (18 runs) held up his end while Want scored freely from the other, as the two put on a 51-run opening stand. Want continued his cavalier innings after Brown’s dismissal, blazing his way to 69 from 45, including nine fours, before Broomehiill paceman Lewis Barritt worked one through his defences. At 3-97, O’Shea and Blakers backed up their performance with the ball, combining for a 47-run stand to get their side within 10 runs of victory. Lee Lucev and Jamie Young both fell cheaply to Timm House (2-5) but the damage had already been done by Kojonup’s top order as they cruised to their four-wicket win in the 34th over. In the other round two fixture , last year’s runners-up Kendenup secured a commanding seven-wicket win over Tambellup at Kendenup on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Tambellup made a sound start as their openers Connor Hawkins (33) and Flynn Cristinelli (22) shook hands for a 54-run opening stand. Kendenup first change bowler Jakob Douglas sent Cristinelli back to the pavilion along with Nathan Wilmott after running him out for 16. Wickets continued to tumble for the visitors but Jedd Herbert and Lewis Miller provided some respite for the tail-enders to come. Toiling hard together for nearly 12 overs together the pair combined for 24 runs before Herbert fell to Sebastian Ballard. Tambellup finished their 45 overs at 9-160. Kendenup had contributions across the board with seven separate wicket-takers in a complete team performance. Their openers set the tone for the run chase with openers Clinton Gilbert and Cameron Walsh ensuring the team moved past 50 runs without the loss of a wicket. Matthew Lamont eventually dismissed Gilbert for 43, bringing the pair’s 70-run opening partnership to an end. Devon Cristinelli then claimed the scalp of Arthur Liddiard for a second ball duck giving some hope for the visitors. Douglas and Walsh ensured any chance of a batting collapse would not eventuate and the two put on 84 together before the former was caught out for a run-a-ball 47, two runs shy of victory. Walsh finished unbeaten on 58, which included seven fours and one six in his 95 balls with his side chasing down the total inside 32 overs. Katanning Wanderers and Australs both had a bye for the Katanning Agricultural Show but will play a make-up game in round seven.