2024-25 Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League season wrap: How each club fared with expectation vs reality

Another cricket season has come and gone and after the dust has settled from a thrilling grand final last weekend, it’s time to reflect on the ups and downs of the 2024-25 season of the Geraldton Bendigo Bank Cricket League.

The season culminated last Saturday with Towns clinching a two-wicket win, with just eight balls to spare, over Wanderers. Towns were the hot favourites going into the championship decider but Wanderers put up one hell of a fight.

It is Towns’ 13th title overall in its club history.

So how did each of the clubs rank in 2024-25? Cricket expert Victor Tanti ranks their performances out of five.

TOWNS

Expectation: Top two

Reality: Premiers but behind Wanderers until a 13-game winning streak culminated in a two-wicket grand final win.

Best batters were veteran Jai Russell (383 runs at 42.55), Jeremy Bedford (382 at 42.44) and Ringo McKenna (347 at 31.54).

Though he missed half the summer with other commitments, Kodi Giltrow made 220 runs and Sam Crouch 296. Darcy Giltrow, who also missed half the year, Callum Marquis and Austin Breen also had moments.

McKenna (30 wickets at 9.16) and Josh DeLacy (26 at 13.50) led the bowling.

Travis Morgan and Kodi Giltrow actually had lower bowling averages than McKenna. They and Tom Forsyth, Seth Farmer and Crouch managed at least 13 wickets at under 15 runs each.

Rating: 4

Batting lacked a superstar but their depth meant eight batters combined for 16 50s.

WANDERERS

Expectation: Finals

Reality: Grand final

In all games Zane Marwick tallied 751 runs at 57.76 and made both his club’s hundreds and six of their nine 50s.

Damien King (298 at 27.09), Ian Oglesby (305 at 20.33) and Shayne Bidwell (242 at 18.61) had success but little else as shown by numerous batting collapses.

Marwick (32 wickets at 10.28) led the bowling, with support from Austyn Moulds, Justin Clarkson and King who all took 18 wickets while Oglesby had 15.

Rating: 3

With five players 17 or younger and two more only 21, they did well to nearly win the decider. All their youngsters are good cricketers.

SPORTSMANS

Expectation: Finals

Reality: Third

Clint Yeates (359 runs at 59.83) is now 49 short of 11,000 A-grade runs and made three of his side’s seven 50s. Jarrod Jupp, Ryan Dixon and Darcy Ingle topped 200 runs.

Better with the ball were Jupp (26 wickets at 11.30) who led with 26 wickets. He would have had more but injury stopped him bowling in the last four qualifiers.

Mid-season recruit Zak Williamson and club legend Dan Welsh who made a comeback in February lifted bowling stocks. Young Gus Spalding and Matt Greenlees, with 21 and 19 wickets respectively have promise.

Rating: 2.5

Yeates can’t go on forever and Welsh may not play again but the bedrock of a good team exists. Last-ball loss in preliminary final.

BLUFF POINT

Expectation: Finals

Reality: Missed out

Jay O’Brien (279 runs at 34.87) was best bat followed by Mitch McAuliffe and Sam Millett who averaged a little under 20. O’Brien made their only ton and two of their three 50s.

The loss of Matt Russell after the new year hurt their bowling stocks. James Morrison (23 wickets at 16.34) was solid and Jeremy Boase had moments. While expensive, McAuliffe and Antonio Paradella took wickets.

Rating: 2.

Inconsistent but won a T20 against Sportsmans and a 50-over game versus Wanderers.

CHAPMAN VALLEY-NORTHAMPTON

Expectation: Competitive

Reality: Rarely were

Taj Satie batted six times (212 runs at 35.33) and while Nigel Routledge and Adam Goacher passed 200 runs, they combined for 22 scores of 20 or less in 28 innings.

Brad Boyer (19 wickets at 18.57) was their best bowler. No one else managed even 10 wickets.

Rating: 1

Must improve or club could fold. Used 39 players, few of them A-grade quality, not a good sign.