Mariners locked in tight battle with Fremantle after day one

France was able to snare the wicket of Matthew Micale thanks to a James Bracey catch, leaving Fremantle at 1/32 as they chase the 199 runs the top-of-the-table Mariners notched after batting first.

Aaron Burrage was the catalyst for that total, with a superb knock setting his team on the right path.

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Fresh off an Australian Country Cricket Championships campaign that saw him claim the carnival’s title of highest run-scorer, Burrage compiled 66 off 119 deliveries to steer his side.

Tyler Robertson also put in a solid contribution with his 47 falling just shy of a half century, as he and Burrage combined for a chunk of the Mariners’ 199 off 81 overs.

But the league leaders will be eager to dismiss Jake Carder when they return for day two at Lark Hill this coming weekend, after the Fremantle opener notched a quick 20 off 32 balls to set up his side’s chase.

Carder was looking dangerous at the crease alongside fellow opener Micale, but the latter fell late in the day for just five runs as France struck.

The wicket delivered Anthony Collova to the crease, who managed three runs from 18 balls before the day’s play ended.

Rockingham-Mandurah will look for some early wickets when play resumes on Saturday, with their hold on top spot hanging tenuously as Claremont-Nedlands bangs on the door.

Sitting in second on the ladder and sharing an eight-win record with the Mariners, Claremont-Nedlands have set up their bid to seize first place after posting 6/309 in their first day against Willetton on the back of Jacob Whiteaker’s outstanding 132 runs.

With their victory looking inevitable, Rockingham-Mandurah will need to beat Fremantle to remain atop the table.