Some efficient bowling from Tom Lammonby has kept Rockingham-Mandurah in the hunt against Wanneroo, despite a prolific tonne from batsman Kelvin Smith.
Rockingham-Mandurah find themselves facing a tall order when they return to the pitch for day two of their clash against the Roos next weekend, after Smith led the opposition to 9/241 off 90 overs on Saturday.
But some stringent form with the ball from Lammonby helped to somewhat stem the flow of runs, as he coughed up just 21 runs from his 14-over spell, which included nine maidens and saw him snare three crucial wickets.
Lammonby fired early when he snared Wanneroo opener Robert Richards (10) within the first few overs, and with Leon Coombs claiming the scalp of Kyle Millar (1), the Mariners were in a dominant position.
They'd backed the Roos into a corner at 2/12, but they struggled to keep them there as Smith (118) and Travis Birt (50) pieced together a 91-run stand to steady the ship.
Coombs broke through again to dismiss Birt and break up the partnership, but Smith went on to face 221 deliveries and find the boundary 14 times (one maximum) before he was finally caught out off a Lammonby delivery.
Nathan Henry gave a late dig for the visiting side with 28, helping push their total to 9/241 off the 90 overs.
Lammonby was joined among the wicket takers by Craig Simmons, who collected his own three wicket haul while bowling seven maidens from his 32 overs.
Coombs ended the day on 2/41.
Rockingham-Mandurah will be hoping to chase the total down as they hope to claim a second straight victory.
Play resumes this coming Saturday at Lark Hill, kicking off at 11.40am.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
