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Several of the state’s biggest stars featured in the first game of a WA Premier Cricket double-header.
Willetton’s big guns failed to fire but they still managed to defeat Perth by 19 runs at Fletcher Park.
Cameron Bancroft (0 from 9 balls) and Aaron Hardie (29 from 33 balls) both departed early for the Dragons but captain Iszak Milentis (52 from 68 balls) and D’Arcy Short (51 from 50 balls) led them to a total of 230, before Joel Curtis (84 from 86 balls) could not quite get the Demons over the line as Zach Ferris (3/34 from 8 overs) led a well-rounded bowling effort.
University beat Claremont-Nedlands by 10 runs in a high-scoring affair at Cresswell Park.
English import James Bracey, who played two Test matches for England in 2021, was dominant in his debut for the Students, contributing a brilliant 136 from 116 balls to a second-wicket partnership of 267 with Will Bosisto (124 from 145 balls) as they posted a monster score of 7 for 306, with the Tigers falling short on 296 despite strong efforts from Nick Hobson (78 from 67 balls) and Lochie Hardy (73 from 83 balls).
Bayswater-Morley defeated Wanneroo by 74 runs at Hillcrest Park to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Mitch Todd (93 from 113 balls) fell just short of a hundred as the Bears put a total of 9 for 246 on the board, before his brother Cameron (3/38 from 10 overs) was the most prominent in a well-rounded bowling effort that saw the Roos end up all out for 172.
Mount Lawley gave Scarborough before the Gulls escaped Breckler Park with a five-wicket win.
The Hawks looked to be in the box seat after reducing the visitors to 5 for 30 in response to their score of 147, but an unbroken 114-run sixth wicket stand between Jacob Johnston (69* from 90 balls) and Jonny Bushnell (31* from 67 balls) got the visitors over the line.
Joondalup defeated Melville by one wicket in a nail-biter at Iluka Sports Complex.
Skipper Fraser Hay (59 from 68 balls) again top-scored for the Storm as they posted a total of 6 for 224 and bagged bowling figures of 5 for 50 from his 10 overs for good measure, but lower-order contributions from Harry Larmett (36 from 36 balls) and Lewis Morrell (37* from 36 balls) got the Centurions home in the second-last over.
Subiaco-Floreat grabbed their first victory of the season with a 52-run win over South Perth at Richardson Park.
The Lions were in all sorts at 7 for 72 before Ethan Petta (52 from 67 balls) and Conor Moldrich (30 from 38 balls) got them to a defendable score of 175, with Moldrich (3/9 from 6 overs) the best of the bowlers as the hosts were bowled out for 123.
Rockingham-Mandurah got over Gosnells by 44 runs at Retravision Stadium.
Jay Collard (79 from 113 balls) continued a strong spell of form as the Mariners posted a score of 8 for 218 that they defended by bowling the Hawks out for 174, with Claus Lotter (54 from 94 balls) making the only score of note.
IMAGE: FILE