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WA Premier Cricket is heating up with finals spots at stake as the competition enters its final two rounds over the next few weekends.
Sides battled it out in scorching conditions on day one of Round 14 around Perth in a round producing some upsets and dominant displays.
With two more weekends of Premier Cricket - day two of Round 14 and Round 15’s one-dayers, sides have two more opportunities to solidify their final standings and secure home finals.
As it stands, the top six is currently Perth, Scarborough, University, Bayswater-Morley, Fremantle and Midland-Guilford, with Willetton on their heels at seventh.
Derek Mott, who commentates on WA Premier Cricket, believes the tournament’s final standings could be settled early on during play next Saturday.
“Some very lively matches going on in round 14 day one action and we could see the finals picture becoming a lot clearer in the first hour or two of next Saturday's play,” he told Sports Breakfast.
“There's one team that's fighting for its life in a winning position and another team that could drop out in a match between two top-six sides.
“It's going to be an entertaining round 14 heading in towards the last round of one day, the weekend after the one coming up.“
Heading into this weekend, teams will be keeping an eye on Fremantle vs Scarborough and University vs Midland Guildford, with these two fixtures having a huge bearing on the top six.
Fremantle were sent into bat first at Stevens Reserve, with George Thomas making 72 runs, while Kaiden Cookson made 35. The Scarborough bowlers reduced them to 197 runs, with Matt Spoors taking 3/57 and George Pullinger having 3/18 off 14.5 overs.
However, a Scarborough 15-over battling collapse put them in the back seat, sitting 7/37, including three ducks, at stumps.
Over at James Oval, Midland-Guilford is expected to be beaten by University, after making 155 runs. Ashton Agar and Ethan Frankle featured with the ball, combining for seven wickets.
University’s James Bracey and Will Bosisto got them off to a flyer, taking their side to 112 runs at stumps. The pair confidently sit on 47* and 62* with 44 runs left to chase on day two.
However, Mott says if Scarborough can win, it will upset the “apple cart” heading into the final round.
“If Midland-Guildford loses to Uni, which we expect, and Willeton defeats Mount Lawley, which we expect and then you see Fremantle defeat Scarborough and Midland-Guilford are out of the 6 and they're going to be unlikely to be able to get back in. Willeton will replace them,” he said.
“In a number of these games, it's going to be that first hour and a half of play that really determines the fortunes of a number of clubs in the top half of the ladder and where they stand at the end of the home and away season.“
Day Two between University Vs Midland-Guildford will be broadcast live on SportFM next Saturday, with first ball at 11.10 am AWST.
IMAGE: FILE