WA Premier Cricket Wrap

Josh Kempton

Day one of round seven of WACA Premier Cricket is in the books, with every game set up for a big finish.

An unexpected Saturday morning shower threw a spanner in the works at a few grounds, with the day’s play abandoned without a ball bowled in Willetton’s clash with South Perth, Gosnells’ game against Subiaco-Floreat, and Wanneroo’s fixture with Joondalup.

An intriguing top of the table clash at Cresswell Park will have it all to play for on day two, with Claremont-Nedlands getting to 2 for 46 in response to Midland-Guildford’s score of 161.

The Black Ducks were rescued from 7 for 94 by number nine Zac Howard, who made 43 not out from 97 deliveries, with Liam Haskett (3/36 from 14 overs) the best of the bowlers for the hosts. The visitors then got a couple of key wickets before stumps, with Tigers run machines Nick Hobson (18) and Jacob Whitaker (3) back in the sheds.

University recovered strongly from some early trouble at James Oval to post 264 from just 67.5 overs in their game against Melville, before reducing the Storm to 3 for 41 from 20 overs in response.

The Students got out of a hole at 4 for 39 thanks to an outstanding 142 run 5th wicket partnership between captain Damian Sweet (98 from 113 balls) and Jake Egan (73 from 103 balls). After the innings break, a tight bowling effort from the hosts brought rewards for Mitchell Drennan (⅖ from 6 overs) and Corey Rocchiccioli (1/10 from 7 overs), with Drennan grabbing the big scalp of Fraser Hay.

Scarborough’s effort of 6 for 202 from 63 overs against Perth at Fletcher Park was underpinned by young gun Cooper Connelly, who made 109 from 173 deliveries. Gulls star Josh Phillipe wasn’t able to translate some strong one day form with WA into the red ball game, chopping on to spinner Connor Blaxall-Hall for 11.

Bayswater-Morely made a positive start in their clash against Fremantle at Stevens Reserve, with the Bears posting 3 for 198 from 63 overs as Mitch Todd (87* from 174 balls) showed his class.

A cautious Mount Lawley made 6 for 134 from 73 overs against Rockingham-Mandurah at Retravision Stadium, with Muhammad Ashfaq top scoring with 51 from 67 balls and Aaron Burrage (2/22 from 13 overs) amongst the wickets.

IMAGE: FILE