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The 2023/24 season of WA Premier Cricket is underway, with a round of one day fixtures kicking off the season.
Perth opened their premiership defence with a seven-wicket win over Gosnells at Fletcher Park.
After a tricky start for the Hawks, some lower-order resistance from Clayton Stone (60 from 91 balls) and Chris Dixon (42* from 51 balls) helped them to a competitive total of 9 for 179 and they looked to be in the box seat after grabbing three early wickets in their bowling innings, but an unbroken 155-run fourth-wicket stand from Connor Blaxall-Hill (89* from 109 balls) and Joel Curtis (61* from 87 balls) steadied the Demons over the line.
Fremantle started their campaign with a dominant eight-wicket victory against Rockingham-Mandurah at Stevens Reserve.
Jacob Healand (3/22 from seven overs) and Sam Greer (3/31 from eight overs) rolled through the Mariners’ batting lineup, restricting them to a score of 139 before Douwitje Hoogenboezem (85* from 78 balls) made quick work of the chase, helping the Port Boys win with 22 overs to spare.
An authoritative batting performance from Willetton saw them get over Subiaco-Floreat by 106 runs at Floreat Park.
Blair Walsh (86 from 84 balls), Kallen Bond (82 from 53 balls), Iszak Milentis (68 from 99 balls) and Shayne Wornes (49* from 48 balls) all fired as the Dragons smashed their way to a total of 6 for 322, before Kade Povey bagged a five-wicket haul on club debut as the Lions ended well short on 216.
Scarborough consigned Claremont-Nedlands to a rare loss at Cresswell Park, with the visitors winning by 49 runs.
A magnificent 125 from 128 balls from skipper Joshua Mason led the Gulls to a total of 9 for 275 from their 50 overs, and an excellent bowling effort from the returned Matthew Spoors (4/34 from 10 overs) meant the Tigers were always behind in the game.
Midland-Guildford showcased their bowling strength in their seven wicket takedown of South Perth at Richardson Park.
Hudson Knight (4/49 from 10 overs) was strong up top before Josh Nicholas (4/15 from 9 overs) bagged the last three wickets in a hat-trick and finished off the hosts’ effort of 120 off in style, before captain Keaton Critchell (52* from 55 balls) led the way with bat in hand as the Black Ducks motored past their target inside 24 overs.
Joondalup’s dominant batting lineup fired again in their 133-run win over Mount Lawley at Iluka Sports Complex.
Jaron Morgan (91 from 60 balls), Kai Orr (89 from 82 balls), and Garrick Morgan (76 from 78 balls) all took a liking to the bowling as the Centurions put a score of 9 for 340 on the board despite some late wickets for Clint Hinchliffe (5/58 from 10 overs), with the Hawks well short in their batting innings despite the best efforts of Colin Dwyer (66 from 38 balls).
Bayswater-Morley beat Melville by five wickets in a low-scoring affair at Tompkins Park.
Liam O’Connor (4/23 from 10 overs) showcased all his tricks as the Bears limited the Storm to 7 for 201 but they soon themselves in a hole at 5 for 72 in response, being hauled home by an excellent partnership between Lane Berry (103* from 91 balls) and Christian Smith (31* from 80 balls).
University got their campaign underway with a six-wicket win over Wanneroo at Kingsway Sporting Complex.
Mitchell Slattery (90 from 145 balls) top-scored as the Roos produced an effort of 5 for 216 after batting first, which the Students got over with 16 balls to spare thanks to gun batters Will Bosisto (94* from 121 balls) and Viv Paver (60 from 100 balls) showing their quality.
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