WA Premier Cricket Wrap

By Josh Kempton

The competition’s top teams flexed their muscles in week one of round 8 of WACA Premier Cricket.

A high-quality Claremont-Nedlands batting lineup fired against Scarborough at Abbett Park, making 8 for 303 from their 90 overs.

Stephen Eskinazi showed his quality, top scoring with 85 from 146 deliveries, with support coming from Jacob Whiteaker (70 from 194 balls) and Lochie Hardy (50 from 60 balls) as Jonny Bushnell (2/54 from 17 overs), Samuel Timmins (2/55 from 14 overs), and Sean O’Callaghan (2/79 from 20 overs) tried hard with the ball for the Gulls.

Midland-Guildford put a score 6 for 313 on Bayswater-Morley at Lilac Hill, with Tom Beaton (87 from 115 balls), Keaton Critchell (85 from 160 balls), and James Godfrey (72 from 85 balls) all in the runs.

The Black Ducks declared after 85 overs to get a crack at the Bears before stumps, a decision that proved fruitful as David Moody had Ryleigh Cameron caught on the hook with the first ball of the innings, before the visitors got through to 1 for 9 from 3 overs.

Fremantle put Rockingham-Mandurah to the sword at Retravision Stadium, finishing with a massive 9 for 414 from their 90 overs as Ashton Turner (115 from 139 balls) and Chris Davenport (104* from 124 balls) both reached three figures.

The Mariners used eight bowlers in search of some positive results, with Mitchell Oliver (3/58 from 13 overs) and Craig Simmons (2/98 from 22 overs) the multiple wicket-takers.

Subiaco-Floreat started strongly in their clash against South Perth at Floreat Park, bowling the visitors out for 209 from 77.5 overs.

Sean Stuart top-scored with 66 from 160 balls as WA 2nd XI representatives Hamish McKenzie (4/71 from 24.5 overs) and Michael Hart (4/65 from 18 overs) continued some fine form.

The Lions got through 10 overs before stumps unscathed, with Jayden Goodwin and Ben Tredget putting 18 runs on the board.

Perth have wrapped up first innings points against Willetton at Burrendah Park, getting over their target of 111 with four wickets remaining.

Connor Blaxell-Hall grabbed his second consecutive five-fa with 5 for 40 from 11.5 overs, as Brock Larance top-scored with 30 from 29 balls in a disappointing Dragons batting effort.

The hosts roared back into the game by reducing the visitors to 4 for 28, but a 59 run 5th wicket partnership between Jacob Snadden (56* from 96 balls) and Jono Wells (34 from 70 balls) got the Demons just about home before they finished at 8 for 136 from 46 overs.

University look to be in trouble at James Oval, sitting at 4 for 13 in response to Wanneroo’s score of 197.

After the visitors won the toss and batted, Corey Rocchiccioli responded well to his omission from the state side with 5 for 59 from 23.1 overs as Aryan Varsani top scored with 44.

Lachlan Poulter grabbed three wickets and Bailey Richards chipped in with one to get the Roos away to the best possible start, but the Students are still alive with the quality of Viv Paver and Tom Murray at the crease.

Joondalup looked in good shape against Melville at Tompkins Park, getting to 3 for 130, before Blake Turner triggered a collapse with 5 for 34 from 18 overs as the Centurions were bowled out for 192.

In response, Joe Inglis dismissed Turner with the first ball of the second innings, before the Storm steadied to 1 for 18 from 15 overs at stumps.

The battle of the Hawks at Breckler Park looks set for an intriguing finish, with Mount Lawley sitting at 3 for 71 in pursuit of Gosnells’ score of 134.

Spearhead Chris Prescott was excellent with the ball for the hosts, grabbing 6 for 35 from 19 overs, as Luke McNamee top scored for the visitors with 49 from 130 balls.

IMAGE: WA Premier Cricket.