Rockingham-Mandurah found South Perth too much to handle in the return of the Western Australian Premier Cricket season for the new year. The Mariners lost to the Sky Blues by 38 runs at Lark Hill and slipped to second spot on the table after nine rounds.
South Perth won the toss and batted with Darius D’Silva (75*) and David Cleary piling on 134 for the third wicket. After a 58 run opening stand, this put the visitors in a strong position, one which they took advantage of, to make 6/225.
Rockingham-Mandurah’s leading wicket-taker in the 50-over match was Craig Simmons, whose 4/48 took him to 26 wickets for the season, the second highest in the league. Leon Coombs bowled frugally early with four maidens in the South Perth innings.
Wickets tumbled in the first 20 overs for the Mariners and at 5/68 were facing an uphill battle. Third gamer Brandon Jacobs scrapped hard with 41 off 77 balls and second gamer Nathan Vernon (33 from 46) followed suit in a 69 run sixth wicket partnership.
The home side was bowled out for 187 with two balls left, to fall to their second loss and drop from top spot, before another important clash this Saturday against Perth at Fletcher Park.
Third grade were bundled out for 82 to see Souths cruise home to a 9 wicket victory. Jackson Ward (20) and Jake Corbett (20) put on 44 for the opening wicket before trouble ensured for the home side at Lark Hill. The Sky Blues gobbled up the runs inside 17 overs for an early finish.
Fourth grade made 8/165 in reply to South Perth’s 220 at Richardson Park in a 55 run defeat. Rockingham-Mandurah’s bowlers shared the wickets as James Bakota, Scott Bekker, Beck Bertoncin and Lewis Pitts took a pair of wickets each.
Mitchell Zadow (51) had a senior grade debut to remember with a half century as Mohit Yadav (27) and Liam Crews (22) provided support with the bat for the Mariners in their total of 8/165.
Rockingham-Mandurah could not overhaul Midland-Guildford’s 7/128 in their female B garde clash at Lark Hill despite the brilliance of Saffron Mollett. Opening the bowling for the hosts she claimed 4/9 from 4 overs and then top scored with 22.
The Mariners found the asking rate too slick and finished at 4/82, 46 runs adrift.
The Under 15s celebrated the Western Australian selection of Rhett Bazzo, Corey Wasley and Teague Wyllie by rolling through South Perth to the tune of 8 wickets in their T20 match at Richardson Park. The hosts were invited to bat first by the visitors and made 7/82.
Mitchell Oliver and Bazzo snared two wickets apiece in a disciplined bowling performance by Rockingham-Mandurah before the batters got home with 24 balls to spare, Wyllie leading the way with 37 not out.
The Under 17s batted first in their T20 match against South Perth and scored 6/96. Rockingham-Mandurah were well served by Declan Boston (33) and quick-fire contributions by Nathan Howell (18) and Miles Costley (16).
The Sky Blues got to the target with seven wickets and 28 balls in hand to make 3/98.
Sonia Yadav made a run-a-ball 37 for Rockingham-Mandurah in the Female Youth League clash against Subiaco-Floreat at Lark Hill last Sunday.
The Mariners struck 4/95 in 20 overs but the Lions blazed away to a fine victory making 2/96 in just 10.4 overs. Zoe Ryniker and Brooke Gardner took the wickets for the hosts.