James Bracey’s half-century and Dane Ugle’s four-wicket haul helped Rockingham-Mandurah remain atop the ladder while sending Melville tumbling out of the top six at Tompkins Park on Saturday.
Bracey’s team-high 54 saved the Mariners from an innings that threatened to collapse before Ugle sealed the win with some fantastic bowling crippling Melville’s spirited run-chase.
Batting first, Rockingham-Mandurah lost Tyler Robertson (9) early before Bracey helped dig them out of the hole.
The loss of Brandon Jacobs for a duck followed by Ugle for just one put a dent in the visitors’ hopes of a win, but a quick 27 to Damien Burrage and an unbeaten 22 to Adam France spurred the side to 184 runs before they were all out.
Ugle would go on to be the key in defending the total, as he dismissed all three of Melville’s highest run scorers, who happened to be the team’s only batsmen to breach double figures.
Sean Terry (33), Fraser Hay (58) and Tom Smith (41) all threatened the Mariners’ total at one point, but all fell victim to Ugle in his 4/25 spell.
The crucial wickets saw Melville wrap up their innings 17 runs shy of the league leaders, with the win keeping Rockingham-Mandurah in top spot.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
