.png)
Josh Kempton
WACA Premier Cricket shifted to the white ball before breaking for Christmas, with a number of intriguing results across some one day fixtures.
Claremont-Nedlands showed why they head into the interval atop the ladder, beating Melville by 8 wickets at Cresswell Park.
The Storm won the toss and batted but quickly found themselves in all sorts at 7 for 61, before number nine Mitchell Jackson (43* from 81 balls) grinded hard in partnership with Blake Turner (36 from 91 balls) to ensure there was something of a score on the board, finishing the 50 overs at 9 for 139.
Cam Steel made light work of the chase, easing to 68 not out from 53 balls as the Tigers got over the line with 135 balls to spare.
Gosnells broke through for their first win of the season, beating University by 7 wickets at Sutherlands Park.
After losing the toss, a strong bowling effort from the hosts restricted the Students to 178 from 49.5 overs, with Chris Dixon leading the way with 4 for 36 from 7.5 overs.
In reply, a 124 run opening stand between import Luis Reece (84* from 110 balls) and Daniel Smedley (54 from 89 balls) just about sealed the deal for the Hawks.
Willetton’s poor batting form continued in their 7 wicket loss to Fremantle at Stevens Reserve, with the Dragons folding for just 56 inside 22.3 overs after batting first, as Sam Greer (4/16 from 6.3 overs), Jacob Headland (3/13 from 6 overs), and Ryan Van Kenemade (3/21 from 5 overs) bowled the house down.
Shaun Marsh made his return to the crease after missing the first half of the season with calf and knee injuries, making 6 from 7 balls before being bowled by Matt Hanna (3/23 from 6 overs) without offering a shot.
A well-rounded bowling effort helped Scarborough to a 2 wicket win over Midland-Guildford at Lilac Hill, with six individual bowlers picking up wickets to go with three run-outs as the Black Ducks were bowled out for 176 from 46.1 overs.
Wickets fell in clumps in the chase after the Scorchers-contracted Cooper Connolly auditioned for a BBL call-up with 52 from 18 deliveries including four sixes, but Jacob Johnston (56* from 79 balls) kept his cool to see the Gulls home.
Rockingham-Mandurah beat Perth by 2 wickets in a thriller at Fletcher Park.
The visitors bowled first and managed to knock the Demons over for 162 inside 45 overs, with Jay Collard (3/26 from 5 overs), Jake Pattison (2/22 from 10 overs) and Michael Oliver (2/39 from 10 overs) in the wickets.
With young guns Teague Wyllie and Corey Wasley away on state under 19’s duties, George Bell (44 from 47 balls), Cooper Dehring (39* from 85 balls), and Damien Burrage (36 from 48 balls) stepped up, getting the Mariners over the line with 7 balls remaining.
Bayswater-Morley flexed their muscles with the bat in their 155 run win over Mount Lawley at Hillcrest Park, with English import Rob Yates (110 from 124 balls), Lane Berry (62 from 53 balls), and Ryleigh Cameron (50 from 54 balls) all raising the bat in the Bears’ first innings score of 295 from 49.1 overs.
A young Hawks batting lineup struggled to push the pace in response, finishing all out for 140 after 49.3 overs, with veteran Liam O’Connor (3/25 from 10 overs) controlling the middle overs expertly.
The in-form Jayden Goodwin was the star as Subiaco-Floreat won by 120 runs over Joondalup at Iluka Sports Complex, with the Lions’ score of 9 for 276 from their 50 overs underpinned by the opener’s 148 from 133 deliveries.
Spinners Angus McKenzie (4/32 from 7 overs) and Chris Hansberry (3/39 from 9.4 overs) shone as the Centurions were bundled out for 156 from 39.4 overs.
South Perth beat Wanneroo by 7 wickets in a dominant performance at Richardson Park.
The Roos won the toss and chose to bat but lacked a score of note in their innings of 127 from 42.3 overs, with Sean Stuart (4/36 from 9.3 overs) the best with the ball.
In reply, Brooke Guest nearly knocked off the target on his own, finishing 89 not out from 69 deliveries as the hosts won the game with 187 balls to spare.
The competition resumes with 1st and 2nd grade one day games on January 7th, with 3rd and 4th grade resuming on January 14th.
IMAGE: FILE