.png)
The race for finals places in WACA Premier Cricket is heating up, with week one of the penultimate round 14 in the books.
Ladder leaders Claremont-Nedlands will need to pull off a miracle to avoid a second consecutive loss, with Willetton sitting at 3 for 104 in pursuit of their score of 115 at Cresswell Park.
Zach Ferris (5/39 from 12.2 overs) and Matt Hanna (3/21 from 13 overs) fired for the Dragons before a mature 56 run fourth wicket stand between Shayne Wornes (36* from 127 balls) and Blair Walsh (33* from 88 balls) steadied the ship after they slipped to 3 for 46.
Fremantle put another massive score on the board at Stevens Reserve against Mount Lawley, with the Port Boys declaring their innings closed after smashing 3 for 393 in 71 overs, before the Hawks reached 1 for 47 at stumps.
In-form opener Sam Whiteman set the tone with a run-a-ball 91 before Ashton Turner blazed a brilliant 178 not out from 203 balls, smashing the ball to all parts in an unbroken 224 run fourth wicket stand with Dan Kennedy (100* from 115 balls).
Bayswater-Morley have a mountain to climb against Joondalup at Hillcrest Park, with the hosts in trouble at 4 for 42 in response to the Centurions’ score of 230.
Morgan brothers Jaron (78* from 68 balls) and Garrick (74 from 116 balls) led the way with the bat for the visitors before a brilliant afternoon session saw the Bears’ top four batters sent packing, with Joe Inglis (2/21 from 10 overs) leading the charge.
Midland-Guildford are 1 for 22 in pursuit of Subiaco-Floreat’s score of 208 at Lilac Hill.
The Lions had Jayden Goodwin to thank for posting a competitive total, with the state-contracted opener’s 104 from 170 deliveries constituting half his team’s score, as seamer Justin Kandiah (3/50 from 16 overs) continued some good bowling form for the Black Ducks.
University are in the driver’s seat against South Perth at James Oval, with the Students posting a solid total of 6 for 329 from their 90 overs.
Benji Melville (107 from 204 balls) and captain Tom Murray (89 from 173 balls) stepped up for the hosts to ensure there would be no batting issues following the departure of in-form import Ben Geedes.
Scarborough’s clash with Melville at Abbett Park hangs in the balance, with the Storm currently 3 for 79 in pursuit of the hosts’ score of 168.
Mark Turner (4/37 from 15.5 overs) was on fire for the visitors as the Gulls slipped to 5 for 24 inside the first hour of play before George Pullinger (51 from 94 balls) and Jacob Johnston (43 from 77 balls) led the recovery effort.
Perth will look to press home their advantage against Wanneroo at Fletcher Park, with the hosts looking on top at 1 for 107 after bowling the Roos out for 177.
It was a well-rounded effort from the Demons, with Jono Wells (3/11 from 7 overs) and Ethan Carrington (3/27 from 12 overs) leading the way with the ball before Jacob Snadden (64 from 68 balls) got the batting innings off to a flyer.
Gosnells will look to build on their winning momentum against Rockingham-Mandurah at Sutherlands Park, having posted 221 after batting first.
The Hawks were in a spot of bother at 4 for 41 before strong middle order efforts from Kade Povey (56 from 104 balls), Aqeel Wahid (46* from 69 balls) and Brodee Foster (36 from 98 balls) salvaged a score, with Damien Burrage (5/62 from 24 overs) putting in a big effort for the Mariners.
IMAGE: WA Premier Cricket.