Geraldton relegated from A-section in men’s country week tournament following winless campaign

A winless campaign from Geraldton has seen its A-section side relegated for next year’s men’s country week cricket tournament less than 12 months after an incredible title win in 2025.

After five losses in five games, Geraldton’s 11-year run in A-section of CSBP Country Week Cricket is over. They will be in B-section in 2027 for the first time since 2015.

The side’s batting lineup failed with only three 50s made — the highest from Gus Heberle (65 not out off 57 balls). The others were 53, both from Ben O’Brien and Darcy Ingle. Both those players passed 500 country week runs.

Only O’Brien (129 runs at 25.80) tallied 100 runs. Seb Bainbridge, Ingle, captain Kade Gillingham, Adam Goacher and Riley Barham all averaged under 20.

The team was dismissed in four games and was 8-157 in the other. The fielding was mostly good especially against Bunbury when four superb catches were held, none better than Tom Witt’s boundary catch.

The bowling was serviceable with Josh DeLacy (eight wickets at 21.50), Austin Breen (six at 21.83) and Jarrod Jupp (six at 27.50) but the opposition averaged 32 runs per wicket.

Geraldton closed out against Bunbury last Thursday and West Pilbara on Friday.

In the former match, Bunbury made 310 thanks to Michael Tassone (137) while Jupp (4-28) and Breen (3-58) had success. Geraldton made 152 lit up by Heberle’s 65.

In Friday’s relegation final, West Pilbara hit 7-243 and Geraldton, despite being gifted several dropped catches, made 183. Ingle (53) gave late hope.

While it entered the tournament with a sixth country week title in its sights, Geraldton slumped to three losses during the pool stage, ruining those chances.

It was always going to be a tough competition for Geraldton’s A-section side with five players from last year’s title-winning side — including captain Ringo McKenna and Country Week best-and-fairest player Zane Marwick — unavailable this year.

Geraldton’s seconds, in C-Section, ended with a 2-3 win-loss record and avoided relegation, finishing in sixth. Their wins were when their batting fired, however it mostly didn’t, with not one 50 posted — though Alex Reynolds (49) got close.

An exhilarating seven-wicket win on Thursday against Northam saw them saved from an appearance in the relegation final, as Geraldton bowled out their opposition with one ball remaining.

Northam made 164 (Freeman 5-37) and Geraldton 3-165 in a last over win. Captain Cody Doran (41 not out) batted well. Jake Poletti, McAuliffe and Nate Thomas-Magee scored 41, 32 and 23 respectively.

Matthew Freeman claimed a five-wicket haul, while Mitchell McAuliffe bowled an economical 10 overs, with five being maidens.

Overall, Freeman (nine wickets at 8.77) bowled with real pace and McAuliffe and Patrick Walsh both took seven wickets.

On Friday, in a T20, Wyalkatchem made 9-189 (Jayden Pinto (3-10). Geraldton replied with 6-146. Mitch Marsh (47 not out) and Ryan Thomas (42) made runs.