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A hot Saturday was reflected in WA Premier Cricket action, with several batters capitalising on the sapping bowling conditions to post big scores.
Perth picked up the only outright win of the weekend, defeating South Perth with nine second-innings wickets in hand at Fletcher Park.
Resuming at 6 for 108 with another 21 runs needed to secure the first-innings points, the Demons did their work quickly after crossing their target, needing only 40.2 overs to bowl the visitors out again for 138 and tracking down their target of 97 inside 19 overs.
University showcased their batting depth in a five-wicket win over Fremantle at James Oval.
Despite losing star pair James Bracey and Will Bosisto on day one, skipper Tom Murray (129 from 168 balls) and Alexander Melville (74* from 94 balls) powered the Students over the line, before the teams shook hands after nine second-innings overs.
Scarborough got over Joondalup in a thriller at Abbett Park, winning by one wicket.
Matthew Spoors (70 from 153 balls) and Cooper Connolly (54 from 135 balls) got the Gulls within touching distance of their target of 235 but some work was left to the lower order, with last pair Alex Osborne and Corey Young managing to come up with the eight runs needed to secure the victory.
Willetton registered a massive 163-run win over Rockingham-Mandurah at Burrendah Park.
Corey Wasley (59 from 82 balls) looked in good touch but the Mariners never seriously threatened the hosts’ score of 338, with Zach Ferris (3/24 from 10 overs) leading a well-rounded bowling effort.
Midland-Guildford monstered Gosnells by ten wickets at Lilac Hill.
A brilliant 248-run opening stand between Dylan Sharman (135 from 163 balls) and James Kirkwan (120 from 179 balls) got the Black Ducks over their target of 199 in quick time, before they declared at 4 for 316 and the Hawks got through 30 second-innings overs at 3 for 60.
Subiaco-Floreat beat Bayswater-Morley with four wickets in hand at Hillcrest Park.
The Bears’ hopes of defending their score of 155 received a boost when they dismissed Lions captain Geremy Fatorous (39 from 76 balls) in the first over of the day, but some handy middle-order contributions got them over the line before Conor Moldrich (92 from 107 balls) and Matthew Sculthorpe (40 from 70 balls) had some late fun.
Wanneroo won over Mount Lawley off the last ball of the day at Kingsway Sporting Complex.
The Hawks were in the box seat after the departure of James Wharton (99 from 161 balls) left the Roos at 5 for 204 in pursuit of their target of 316, but a 110-run sixth-wicket partnership between Deon Billington (88 from 151 balls) and Connor Spangenberg (61* from 73 balls), including some of the required five runs from the last over, saw the hosts home.
Melville’s search for their first win of the season is still continuing, with Claremont-Nedlands getting the job done by 79 runs at Tompkins Park.
Kieran Coyne (104 from 188 balls) and Fraser Hay (43 from 83 balls) were in good touch as the Storm looked in strong shape at 2 for 187 in pursuit of the Tigers’ score of 322, but a well-rounded bowling effort led by Joesph Taylor (3/13 from 4 overs) saw them lose their last eight wickets for just 56 runs.
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