GSCA 2025-26: Father and son combo too much for Katanning but it’s all to play for in race for finals spots

Father and son Kojonup bowlers Peter and Tom Robertson were too hot to handle, ripping through a nine-man Katanning side as the Cougars cruised to a five-wicket win in the Great Southern Cricket Association’s Bendigo Bank Shield on Saturday. The victory ensured the Cougars’ spot in the top four, but the pecking order is still up for grabs with one round remaining before the finals rankings are determined. There’s everything to play for as Broomehill lead the way but could be overhauled if they lose to Katanning, and Tambellup beat Kojonup on February 21. Kendenup are also in the mix, just two points behind Tambellup, with only Australs North to face. The Lions have yet to win in 15 outings so far, so the odds favour a Kendenup victory which could allow them to leapfrog Tambellup, if results go their way. With the top two facing off on March 7, the winners will host the grand final on March 14. The winner of the game between third and fourth tackles the loser of the first final, for the second showpiece slot. The maths was much simpler at Kojonup on Saturday where the visitors opted to bat and managed only 8-73 in 30 overs. Ryan Sinclair and Tyron Pinney seemed to be giving the Tigers a decent start and even when Pinney was dismissed for 11, Brock Green took up the cause. Sinclair was removed by Tom Robertson, caught behind by wicketkeeper Bon Lucev for 16, and the same bowler struck again, Matthew Marinoni taking the catch, to oust Green for 20. Even at 3-48 it did not look too problematic but the tail, which started at No.4, sank without trace to leave Tom Robertson with figures of 3-12 and his dad Peter with 3-10. The last six Wanderers batters contributed just 18 runs. The Cougars’ reply was dominated by Marinoni who came to the rescue at 4-11 after a Tigers bowling blitz removed Jamie Young, Geoffrey Pethick, Tom Robertson and Jacob Johnson. Marinoni was unbeaten on 44 when he brought the curtain down at 5-76 in just 13 overs. Ladder leaders Broomehill were also a player short in their contest against Kendenup, and they fell short in their chase by nine runs. Batting first at home, Kendenup set their opponents a target of 139, Jakob Douglas doing most of the legwork with a haul of 56 off 81 balls. His back-up came early on from Seb Ballard’s 27 but once they had been dismissed the rest of the batting fell away. David Hinchcliffe was chief wicket-taker with 5-22 while Lewis Barritt’s 4-14 was equally devastating. The Bandicoots’ reply started reasonably well, but openers Max Jordison (13) and David Hinchcliffe (19) failed to push on. Lewis Barritt went for a duck and Rohan Bignell for one, yet Ben Holmes (35), Bryce Hinchcliffe (18) and Scott Lamont (16) got them to within spitting distance at 8-126 but the last wicket went down to end the contest at 9-130. Clinton Gilbert, with 3-22, was the best of the Kendenup bowling attack. Tambellup enjoyed a seven-wicket win over Australs North, reaching 3-95 in response to the Lions 8-91. Bayley Drew’s unbeaten 50 off 31 balls blasted Tambellup to victory in the 11th over with Ben Taylor next best with 19. Phillip Pink held his own for the Lions with 41 and David Potter was unbeaten on 28 when he ran out of partners. In the Twenty20 competition, Kendenup beat Green Range-Ongerup by 14 runs in Albany last Thursday night – but the sides will meet again in the grand final. Kendenup reached 6-157 with Green Range-Ongerup stuttering to 7-143 in reply. Douglas was Kendenup’s top man with an unbeaten 48, but although Ben Hislop’s 60 was the best of the night in response, Green Range-Ongerup ran out of overs when well placed. Kojonup were third in the ladder, edged out of a finals spot by Green Range-Ongerup on net run rate.