Geraldton reign supreme in Senior Country Week

Country Week is the biggest cricket carnival in the State and has been running since 1907 with clubs and associations from all regions always excited to be involved.

The coveted A Section was taken out by Geraldton, who defeated Albany in a hard-fought Final in tough conditions at the WACA Ground on Friday.

Victory in the Final completed a dominant week for Geraldton, who came into the Final undefeated thanks to some outstanding team performances during the preliminary rounds.

Geraldton had many contributions throughout the week but were led superbly by batters Zane Marwick (185 runs at 46.25) and Jay O’ Brien (153 runs at 38.25). Marwick (14 wickets at 8.29) was also a standout with ball in hand, as was captain Gerard McKenna (12 at 9.33).

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Geraldton struggled in the early stages slumping to 4-50, before a fighting half-century from Player of the Match Darcy Ingle (70 off 132) allowed Geraldton to reach a competitive total of 181.

In reply, Albany managed get off to a decent start thanks to a 45-run second-wicket stand between Ryley Valli (19) and Joe Stanley (37) before a flurry of wickets in the middle overs put them on the backfoot.

Marwick produced a match-turning spell for his side, taking 4-28 off his ten overs including the crucial wickets of Valli and Stanley to leave Geraldton reeling at 6-105. 

McKenna and Zak Williamson then shared the remaining wickets left in the innings as Albany were eventually bowled out for 131, 51 runs short of their 182-run target.

Peel Country Cricket Association, West Pilbara Cricket Association, Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association and Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association were also successful each winning one of the five sections across the week.

Senior Women’s Country Week is currently being played, with 10 teams competing over the long weekend. The A Section Final will be played at the WACA Ground on Monday 27 January, starting at 1pm.

Senior Country Week Top Performers

Batting Aggregate
A Section – Bradman May (Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association)– 220 runs at 55 
B Section – Connor Smith (Great Southern Cricket Association) – 221 at 55.25
C Section – Peter Ross (Albany & District Cricket Association) – 207 at 51.75
D Section – Stuart Hayward (Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association) – 234 at 58.5
E Section – Alex Jerrard (Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association) – 230 at 57.5

Bowling Aggregate
A Section – Joe Stanley (Albany & District Cricket Association) – 14 wickets at 6.79
B Section – Blaze Rosinski (Peel Cricket Association) – 15 at 7.53
C Section – Phillip Stacey (Port Headland Cricket Association) – 12 at 11.33
D Section – Thomas Reagan (Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association) – 13 at 9.31
E Section – Benjamin Whitely (South Midlands Cricket Association) – 12 at 8.08

Competition Winners
A Section – Geraldton Cricket Association
B Section – Peel Country Cricket Association
C Section – West Pilbara Cricket Association
D Section – Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association
E Section – Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association