EGCA well off the pace with just two wins in five matches at country week

Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association’s unsuccessful bid for the A-section trophy at the annual country week series in Perth last week was ultimately reflected by just two batters featuring among the division’s top-15.

The side’s five matches that yielded two victories produced some inconsistent batting and a lack of big partnerships.

However, Waqar ali Ahmed compiled 197 runs at 49.25 to be ranked second overall — behind Bunbury’s Bradman May (220 runs at 55.00).

EGCA captain Bevan Bennell was ranked sixth, with 150 runs at 50.00, but the batting contributions fell away drastically, with Sam Burge coming in at 15th with 102 runs at 34.00.

Last week’s top-six batters included Geraldton’s Zane Marwick (third; 185 runs at 46.25), Busselton-Margaret River’s Fraser Oates (fourth; 183 runs at 61.00) and Geraldton strokemaker Jay O’Brien (fifth; 153 runs at 38.25).

Hannans’ UK recruit, Harry Merritt-Blann, led EGCA bowlers with 10 wickets at 9.50 — fifth overall — and Graham Kennedy was 13th, with six wickets at 16.83.

EGCA manager Shane Robbins, whose own performances at country week during a decorated career included 16 wickets at 8.43 and a batting average of 33 at the 1999 series, said the team had under-performed — but he also called for a review of the match formats.

“Overall to finish the week with only two wins was a poor result, given the talent we had,” Robbins said.

“The last game (against Bunbury on Friday) was a Twenty20 on a synthetic (wicket) which happened to be wet.

“The game wasn’t taken seriously (and) Bunbury chased down 150 in 12 overs.

“The formatting of this game needs reviewing — I believe it should be 50 overs on turf, as sides aren’t taking it seriously.

“It used to be five 60-over games, plus a final if you made it.

“I’ll certainly be making my feelings felt to the EGCA and the (WA) Country Cricket Board.”

Geraldton were crowned 2025 champions after beating Albany in Friday’s A-section final — their first triumph in seven years.

The evenness of the regions is reflected in that the past 11 carnivals have produced six different winners, including the EGCA in 2020.

Among those six regions, Geraldton (2018; 2025), Bunbury (2022; 2023), Upper Great Southern (2015; 2017), Peel (2016; 2021), and Albany (2019; 2024) have each won two titles.

In the 105-year history of the Boan Cup, Goldfields have been crowned WA’s regional champions 18 times dating back to 1921.