SERPENTINE Jarrahdale Blues improved its chances of retaining its first grade South Metropolitan Cricket Association status during an up-and-down weekend for the club.
The first grade team picked up where it left off last week in a 67-run, two-day win over rivals Armadale.
Their more fancied opponents got off to the worst possible start when Kane Hoskin claimed two wickets in the first over of the day.
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READ NOWIt did not get better for Armadale, eventually dismissed for 116 in the 59th over thanks to some solid bowling from Hoskin (3-18), Kevin Francis (3-21) and youngster Damien Maring (2-15).
At Gwynne Park, the third grade side were defending 9-238 against Armadale, who found itself in trouble early.
Armadale was reeling at 6-13 and despite some dogged resistance from the tailenders, was finally dismissed for 54.
Matt Hillyard (3-18) and Riley Maring (3-14) were the pick of the bowlers, while Ryan Makarov chipped in with 2-10.
The 1C side battled bravely, but fell to a narrow defeat to Armadale after batting first, despite Graeme Knapp’s efforts.
Knapp spent 35 overs at the crease as he finished unbeaten on 63 as his side were dismissed for 155.
After a slow start, Armadale found its rhythm and despite the best efforts of a determined Corey Stanley (2-27), finished 6-178.
Despite a career best 6-48 from Bryce Shersby, sixth grade lost its top of the table clash with Cockburn.
Defending a modest 137, the Blues could not make the early breakthrough they needed as Cockburn started well, losing its first wicket at 79.
The Cavaliers were eventually dismissed for 164 to claim victory, despite Aaron Butler (3-40) providing good support for Shersby.
THORNLIE Cricket Club enjoyed two wins from its four weekend games in the South Metropolitan Cricket Association.
Fourth grade completed a win in a bizarre two-day game, which saw both sides forced to bat for two innings.
After finishing day one 136 and having reduced Piara Waters to 6-62, Thornlie started day two strongly and bowled its opponents out for 105, with Guy Hoskin (5-47) and Gavin Poller 4-45 starring with the ball.
Dwayne Morrison (20) and Tyson Armstrong (29) opened well for Thornlie in the second innings, but the team slumped to be all out for 98.
Piara Waters was sent in to bat again and avoided the outright loss, but still finished on 8-73 at stumps, with Poller (3-29) and Hoskin (2-35) again at their best.
The one day A side was sent in to bat after losing the toss against Champion Lakes and dismissed for 144, with Dan Solari’s 41 the high score.
Their opponents started hunting down the required total at a consistent pace and despite Cris Bayless’ 2-41, finished on a comfortable 8-172.
One day D also lost the toss against South Bertram Districts and was sent in, reaching 9-158 from its 40 overs despite some nervy moments.
Troy McDonnell (32), Simon Smith (30) and Scott Cooper (26) salvaged what could have been a short innings, but their opponents passed the total with ease, reaching 203 despite the best efforts of Gary Stevens (3-28) and Dave Kleyweg (3-37).
Meanwhile, Thornlie’s one day F side bowled first against Armadale and restricted it to 8-109, thanks to Ken Crook (3-26), Trevor Bennet (2-19) and Travis Glatz (2-21).
In response, the opening batsmen proved in good knick, as Josh Fox smashed 83 and combined well with captain Calvin Ridley (36) to steer Thornlie to victory as it finished 3-224.
GOSNELLS suffered a first innings defeat at the hands of University after an action-packed second day at James Oval.
University returned to the crease at 0-56, needing a further 107 runs for victory.
After losing Sean Stuart at 1-65, Jay O’Brien and George Bartlett boosted the score to 117 after smashing a quick-fire 52-run partnership.
Following O’Brien’s run-out for 56, Gosnells found itself with a small window of opportunity, as captain Matthew Leipold pounced on Bartlett and Will Bosisto, leaving University reeling on 4-132.
However, Viv Paver and Matthew Birrell put the result beyond doubt, belting 90 runs in a dominant fifth wicket partnership as University soared past Gosnells’ total.
With Birrell falling for 54, Paver continued to drive the back half of the innings, pushing the total to 8-247 before University declared, sending Gosnells back to the crease in an attempt to score an outright win.
Gosnells’ second innings mirrored its first, struggling early at 2-23 before Leipold and David Roberts advanced the score to 3-81 after a 58-run stand.
However, University’s bowlers managed to clamp down on Gosnells’ free-wheeling batsmen, taking the next six wickets in the space of 54 runs, as Will Bosisto and Bailey Richards ran wild.
Brandon Jacobs was the final wicket to fall, with Gosnells all out for 152, leaving University with 68 runs to chase down for the outright victory.
With only a small amount of time left, University’s batsmen swung hard at every delivery.
With each batsman’s strike rate well over 100, University fell agonisingly close to claiming an outright victory, scoring 5-67 off just six overs.
Aaron Kerverne-Onyon took three wickets in the action-packed final six overs, as University settled for a first innings win.
ARMADALE’S first grade was defeated by SJ Blues, who made 9-183 last week.
Armadale never got going in their innings and was rolled for 116 with Will Watson top score with 34, while Chad Forsyth made 21.
In the second dig, SJ finished at 6-60 with Jake Forsyth taking 4-24 and Chad Forsyth 2-9.
Third grade also went down comprehensively to SJ as they chased 238.
Armadale crumbled to 6-13 early before Jake Edwards, Alex Pass and Luke Williams dug in to make SJ earn the victory, batting until the 51st over before being dismissed for 54.
Sixth grade also went down fighting against Riverton after making just 76 last week.
Armadale reduced Riverton to 7-56 to have a real shot at victory, but Riverton steadied and crept home with 115.
Joe Facey was the pick of the bowlers on day two, taking 2-5, while Ant Fedele finished with 3-65.
Sunil Pandey finished with figures of 4-32.
In the second dig Armadale ended up on 5-59, with Corey Mullane making a rapid 28.
One day A demolished Safety Bay to keep its finals hopes alive after smashing 7-287 batting first.
Armadale lost two early wickets before Muhammad Younas smashed a rapid 38 (including 3 sixes).
Armadale then lost a flurry of wickets to fall to 5-78.
Skipper Raebern D’Sylva survived the carnage when he teamed up with Waqas Khan to put on 139 before being dismissed for a sublime 81.
Khan continued to smash the bowlers everywhere as he brought up a magnificent 100, which included 10 boundaries and four sixes.
Kim Hunt then smacked 26 not out in no time at the death.
In reply Safety Bay was on fire early to be 1-64 before crumbling completely to be all out in 16 overs for 114.
Asim Mehmood was the star taking 4-13, while Muhammad Younas (2-20) and Ash Starling (2-35) also bowled well.
One day Cs all but sealed a finals berth with a win over SJ Blues, who made 155 batting first.
SJ looked dangerous at 4-132 before Sathish Manogaran took 5-27.
Dipak Patel also bowled well to snare 2-22.
In reply, three early wickets didn’t deter Jagadeesh Ganesan as he made a well compiled 55 along with Durairaj Govindaraj who made 23.
However at 5-116 things could have gone south but Ramesh Ramar saw Armadale home with 29 not out along with Dharmesh Patel (16 not out).
One day Es cruised home against Kenwick after compiling 3-188 off its 35 overs.
Steve Jones made a handy 35 at the top of the order, before Lee Cover (66 not out) set the tone.
Gene Aldridge then came in and smashed them everywhere while making 51 not out, which included four sixes.
In reply Kenwick started steadily but collapsed to be all out for just 61.
Jim McClure (2-3) and Brett Mauer (2-8) were the chief destroyers.
McClure also took his 100th catch.
One day Fs went down to Thornlie, who made 3-224 batting first.
Rob Goscombe, Jon Robbins and Matthew Weary all took a wicket apiece.
In reply Armadale finished on 8-109 with Matthew Weary (28) and Mark Jardine (24) leading the way with the bat.
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