Warnbro opened their account on the Peel Cricket Association season when a spectacular spell of bowling from John Vickery led them to a win over South Mandurah at Peelwood Reserve on Saturday.
Vickery caused headaches for the Falcons in their chase of Warnbro’s total, taking the wickets of opener Daniel Jones, Caleb Sawyer and Matthew Rubery on his way to 3/19 from an eight over spell that included three maidens.
His efficiency played a key role in the Swans defending their 145-run total, which was posted on the back of solid contributions from Ben Doudle (39) and Mitchell Cowan (30).
Doudle had the visiting side off to a good start after Souths sent them into bat, with his 39 forming the crux of a 51-run partnership with fellow opener Ben Hinson (15).
Both would fall in succession to leave the Swans in limbo at 2/55 soon after, but middle-order contributions from Travis Gordon (19) and Cowan allowed Warnbro to get back into a respectable position, before a flurry of late wickets saw them dismissed on 145 from 43 overs.
Despite the losing effort South Mandurah’s Michael Moore produced the performance of the game with the ball, collecting a stunning 3/7 from his seven over spell, which included a strangling five maidens.
The home side looked ready to post their first win of the new season when Jones’ knock of 48 – a game high – had their run chase off to a healthy opening.
But ducks to Moore and Jesse Buck did little to help their cause, and even solid contributions from Sawyer (21) and Brandon Hill (16) couldn’t will them to a victory as they were ousted on 136 after 44 overs.
Shoalwater Bay defeated by Halls Head
Another side posting their first win of 2018/19, Halls Head jumped into the top four with a dominant display over the Seals.
Opener Michael Chappell led the way with 57 runs as Halls Head batted first, with Levi Muller (32), Craig Ford (29) and Rodney Ford (45) all pitching in to help the team to 8/224 from 50 overs, despite Seal Sebastian Websdale taking a four-wicket haul.
From there the visitors put the clamps on Shoalwater’s order, allowing just two batsman to score in double figures as a spread of strong bowling saw the home side sent packing on just 98 runs.
The loss leaves Shoalwater Bay in last place on the ladder.
Pinjarra defeated by Waroona
Blistering half centuries from Mitchell Smith (54) and Ben Wright (51) saw a powerful Waroona outfit cruise past Pinjarra at Sir Ross McLarty Park on Saturday.
Smith notched his total in rapid fashion facing just 29 bowls and hitting 10 boundaries (four of which were maximums), while Wright only took 43 to reach the half century as the Warriors comfortably chased down Pinjarra’s 9/164 total.
Matt France’s 44 runs top-scored for the Tigers but their bowling attack could do little to phase the Warriors’ line-up, as Jayden Derosa pitched in with 40 to help the side to 5/165 from 31 overs.
Waroona now sits comfortably in second place with two wins to start the year.
White Knights Baldivis defeated by Mandurah
Lewis Binns claimed a stunning 3/6 to help Mandurah defend their total against Baldivis on Saturday.
The White Knights sent Mandurah into bat first and an unbeaten 60 runs from Matt Jenkinson, along with 24 to Louis Baker, buoyed them to a total of 9/180 from their 50 overs, despite Baldivis’ Mitch Brown taking a gallant 4/22 from 10 overs.
Cameron Reyne did everything he could to help Baldivis chase a victory with 80 runs before he was caught off a Binns’ delivery, which led to a downward spiral in the home side’s tail end as they were cleaned up on 148 from their 36 overs.
The win moves Mandurah to a 2-0 record from their opening fortnight.
Hillman defeated by Singleton
Singleton sits atop the PCA ladder thanks to Ian Bowes’ five-wicket haul helping them to a win over Hillman in round two.
Hornet Mitchell Hind smashed his way to 73 runs from 50 deliveries, but Bowes was able to clean up the side’s batting order taking 5/27 from 9.5 overs as Hillman went for 165 before being ousted.
Mitchell Shellam was the driving force for Singleton’s batsmen, hitting 11 boundaries as he punched his way to 60 runs that would form a large chunk of his side’s 7/166 total.
The win keeps the Irwinians atop the table, while Hillman sit winless in eighth spot.