THE last round of WA Cricket Association fixtures saw Rockingham Mandurah take on Claremont Nedlands.
First grade were looking for an outright victory to keep their finals hopes alive but the other three grades were playing for pride and a good finish to the season.
Despite the batting-friendly wicket at Cresswell Park captain Aaron Heal was not disappointed when he lost the toss and had to bowl.
Given an outright win was required Heal would need his bowlers to dismiss the opposition twice.
An early run out and the dismissal of state opener Wes Robinson set the ball rolling. Ben Wright was introduced and promptly picked up two wickets off six overs without conceding a run.
By mid afternoon Claremont was all out for 126.
Ben Edmondson was the destroyer with 5/33 - giving him his fourth five-wicket haul of the season.
The fireworks started soon after the dismissal of Craig George.
Craig Simmons (41 off 21 balls, including 21 off one over) set the ball rolling in the quest for quick runs Sam Whiteman was dismissed in the last over for 29 but his 57-run partnership with Wright (32 not out) had given the Mariners a first innings win 5/131.
Day two will see the Mariners chase the outright but they will still need some of the other results go their way to be part of finals action.
Second grade were also in the field on day one against a side second on the ladder. Aiden Andrews, in his first second grade game of the season, bowled well to take 2/34 but it was young spinner Liam Thomas who starred with the ball.
His 4/43 went a long way in restricting the strong Claremont batting side to a total of 271.
In a tricky session before stumps the Mariners openers scored 21 without loss to set up a good run chase on day two.
The much improved third grade side was up against a side who have struggled lately. At 3/140 it looked as if the Mariners would be chasing a large total but tight bowling and great fielding brought the Claremont batsmen undone being all out for 224.
Ryan Done spun his way to 3/54 and Chris Sherwin on his return to the club took 2/31.
The run chase started well despite the loss of Corey Whissons, the team had knocked off 39 of the runs required for victory.
Like all the other grades the fours found themselves in the field.
At 2/170 it did not look good but six wickets from another of the club’s spin bowlers Grant Vink saw the Mariners fight their way back into the game with Claremont finishing the day at 8/336.
The under 17s played at Melvista and lost the toss with Claremont Nedlands electing to bat.
Jesse White soon had the Claremont top order hopping as he produced a fiery spell to decimate the Claremont batting.
White finished with 5/15 from six overs and Carl Dupreez took 2/27 and Claremont Nedlands was dismissed for 48.
What seem like an easy run chase started badly with Will Dawson out early but a steading 36-run partnership between Corey Morris (18) and Carl Dupreez (12) took the score to 41 before disaster struck.
The young Mariners lost 6/3 to be 7/44 still needing five runs for first innings points.
The situation was made worse with White and John Murphy leaving early to play second grade and were not available to bat leaving them at 9/44.
It was left to Nathan Williamson (23 not out) and Jared Ismail (13) to secure first innings points and a lead of 39 with a last wicket stand of 43.
With the last wicket falling just before stumps next week will see Claremont Nedlands batting in their second innings.
The under 15s at Lark Hill had first use of the wicket and amassed 6/310 from their 60 overs.
Lewis Pegler led the way with 85 and Gerard de Klerk and Pierce Dawson both made 56.
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