GSCA 2025-26: Broomehill clinch fifth Bendigo Bank Shield in a row with nine-wicket demolition of Tambellup

It was high-fives all round as Broomehill swooped to their fifth Bendigo Bank trophy on the trot, making the most of the home advantage to wallop Tambellup by nine wickets in the Great Southern Cricket Association grand final on Saturday. Not since Tambellup clinched their second title in a row back in 2020-21 has another name been on the shield, which the Bandicoots won in convincing fashion after Tambellup’s much-lauded batting line-up fell by the wayside. The Bandicoots have a super ground that is fit for any final, but the visitors could not make the most of its plush outfield as their top order folded when it came to the decisive moments in the association’s premier competition. Only Devon Cristinelli held his own, coming in at No.6 to fire 49 of Tambellup’s clearly inadequate total of 97. His innings was fun while it lasted, one six and five fours showing what could be achieved in 65 balls, but, of his teammates, only Daniel Nazzari managed double figures, his 10 coming stubbornly off 39 balls. Bandicoot James Barritt earned man of the match plaudits for taking four Tambellup scalps at a cost of only 16 runs, while it was the other MVP candidate Max Jordison who fired 51 off 57 balls to see Broomehill home at 1-98 in 16.2 overs. Skipper Lewis Barritt said he been worried about coping with the Tambellup bowlers, never mind their high-quality batters. “I had been nervous all week thinking about how we could cope with Nathan Willmott and also because they have such a good top order,” he said. “But we’ve been very good in the 45-overs competition, and everybody has pulled their weight throughout the season. “That’s not something which just happens; it’s a culture we have developed which now feels natural. “We have players who will always put the team first and do anything that’s needed whether it’s batting, bowling, making the food or getting the beers.” Someone would have had to have got the beers on Saturday for their win was a comprehensive demolition of a side who had done exactly that to Kendenup in the preliminary final the previous week. For Tambellup captain Flynn Cristinelli, it was a chance to reflect on an otherwise decent season while ruing the fact it all went horribly wrong when it mattered. “Broomehill have had a ripper year and five in a row is really special for them,” he said. “We just didn’t get the runs we wanted, and they bowled really well. “It was always going to be hard work defending 97 – but that’s cricket.” The Bandicoots dominated the one-day season, heading the ladder in the home-and-away campaign and then seeing off Kendenup in the qualifying final to head straight to the showpiece. Tambellup reached the grand final the hard way, defeating Kojonup in the elimination contest and then mauling Kendenup with the main game at stake. However, on Saturday, their top five could add only 17 runs and it was left to Devon Cristinelli to salvage some pride. Mac Crichton finished with 3-24 from 7.5 overs to be the other main destroyer alongside James Barritt. David Hinchcliffe (2-40) and Lewis Barritt (1-12) also took wickets for the winners. Starting their chase, the Bandicoots lost opener Jack Batchelor for 34, caught by Jayden Drew off Willmott, but Jordison had the honour of bagging a half century and grabbing the winning run while in the company of James Barritt, who scored five and was the other unbeaten batter.