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Several of WA Premier Cricket’s biggest stars shone brightly in the season’s first weekend of red ball cricket.
Willetton posted the biggest score of the round so far at Burrendah Park, smashing 5 for 338 against Rockingham-Mandurah before reducing the Mariners to 1 for 14 at stumps.
D’Arcy Short belted 131 from 184 balls in a dominant display for the Dragons with solid support from Shayne Wornes (77* from 137 balls) and Brock Larance (70 from 46 balls), before Matt Hanna (1/5 from 4 overs) jagged a breakthrough in the seven second-innings overs bowled after the hosts declared their innings closed.
University are situated at 2 for 55 in response to Fremantle’s total of 181 in an enthralling clash at James Oval.
The Students made a red-hot start with the ball, reducing the Port Boys to 5 for 56 before some lower-order resistance from Sam Greer (36 from 44 balls) and Michael Dawson (31 from 39 balls) got them into a decent position, with Greer then grabbing the huge wickets of James Bracey (0 from 4 balls) and Will Bosisto (1 from 10 balls) before the close of play.
Subiaco are in good shape against Bayswater-Morley at Hillcrest Park, sitting at 3 for 97 after bowling the Bears out for 155.
State-contracted spinner Hamish McKenzie spun a web for the Lions, finishing with phenomenal figures of 8 for 43 from 17.5 overs, before captain Geremy Fatouos (39* from 71 balls) led them through to stumps with the bat.
Perth are situated at 6 for 108 in response to South Perth’s 128 in a see-sawing affair at Fletcher Park.
Captain Daniel Moore (75 from 122 balls) made the only score of note for the visitors before they made the early running with the ball to leave the Demons at 5 for 30, but Sam Fanning (66* from 116 balls) showed his determination to make up for lost time after being suspended for the first four games of the season.
Claremont-Nedlands were bowled out by Melville after displaying their batting firepower at Tompkins Park, producing a total of 322.
The Tigers’ innings was powered by a 167-run third-wicket partnership between Nick Hobson, who smashed 11 sixes in his brilliant 138 from 121 balls, and captain Jacob Whiteaker (64 from 168 balls), with the Storm sitting at none for 10 in response.
Midland-Guildford looks well placed against Gosnells at Lilac Hill, with the Black Ducks ending the day at none for 37 in response to the Hawks’ effort of 199.
Curtis Holmes (42 from 120 balls) top-scored in a frustrating batting effort for the visitors that saw five batters fail to capitalise on starts and fall for scores in the twenties, as spinners Hudson Knight (4/46 from 27 overs) and Liam Trevaskis (2/42 from 19.4 overs) did the damage for the hosts.
Joondalup escaped some early trouble to put 235 on the board against Scarborough at Abbett Park, before the hosts ended the day at none for 24.
The Centurions did well to manufacture a total of 235 from 5 for 85 with Joe Inglis (42 from 38 balls) top-scoring from number ten as part of a 59-run last-wicket stand, with the Gulls needing a further 212 with ten wickets in hand next Saturday.
Mount Lawley started strong against Wanneroo at Kingsway Sports Complex, posting a total of 5 for 316.
Captain Clint Hinchliffe (78* from 162 balls) led a team effort for the Hawks, with Tyrone Virgo (56 from 72 balls), Michael French (53 from 110 balls), Tyler Scroop (44 from 110 balls), and David Delany (41 from 69 balls) also in the runs.
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