Cricket: hat trick of wins for Fremantle in T20

THREE T20 games in two days proved no problem for Fremantle, who recorded three big wins against Rockingham-Mandurah, University and the Country XI.

In the first of back-to-back matches on Saturday, Fremantle won the toss and sent their opponents Rockingham-Mandurah in to bat first, a decision which saw Mitchell Marsh and Jhye Richardson claim the openers almost immediately to have the visitors at 2-15.

A big partnership to Rockingham-Mandurah’s James Bracey (70 runs) and Dane Ugle (63 not out) helped steady the ship and get the team to 3-147 at the end of their 20 overs.

Richardson would finish with two wickets.

A strong opening partnership to Sam Whiteman (43) and Jake Carder (40) ensured Fremantle never really struggled in the chase, securing the win with 3-152 and 11 balls to go.

Game two started much the same for Fremantle, who won the toss and sent University in to bat first.

This time their opponents started strongly, and a big 83-run hit from opener William Bosisto got the team to 5-170.

Marsh picked up two wickets, including the Bosisto scalp, while Ben Moore, Tom Abell and Ross Macauley also got a notch in the wicket column.

Whiteman and Carder again set the pace early in the Fremantle innings, reaching 58 and 53 runs respectively before they were both sent back to the dugout in quick succession.

The middle order got stuck in for the rest of the chase and did enough to get Fremantle to 4-173 and a last over victory.

Travelling away from Stevens Reserve for the Sunday game, Fremantle kept to their winning formula when they decided to take the bowling duties first.

Country XI opener Bevan Bennell was a shining light for the team, finishing the innings on 75 not-out as his team reached 3-134 in their 20 overs.

Jack Camarda took two wickets, while Macauley took the third.

A change in the batting order saw Whiteman and Ashton Turner open the batting and while Whiteman fell cheaply for the first time, Turner went on to score a 53-run half century before he was given out.

A supporting 35-run effort from Abell helped Fremantle to a 5-136 win.

The three wins see Fremantle finish top of the Group D ladder ahead of T20 semi finals on January 13.

South Metropolitan Cricket Association

EAST Fremantle has soared to the top of the South Metropolitan Cricket Association one-day ladder after a big win against Cockburn on the weekend.

East Fremantle’s top order in Ben Mustard (46 runs), Blake Miller (49) and Gregory Beresi (46 not out) set the tone early and did enough to set a formidable 5-194 from their 40 overs.

Alec Radonich took two wickets for Cockburn, while Chris Scenini, Troy Evans and Damian Carroll took one apiece.

After losing opener Adam O’Neill early Cockburn would struggle with the run chase and, despite a 51-run half century to Radonich, they would fall 34 runs short of victory.

East Fremantle’s Michael Carmody did most of the damage with the ball, taking 4-25.

Hilton Palmyra also recorded a win in their match against Bicton Attadale.

Hilton Palmyra won the toss and elected to bat first, but they were on shaky ground early after losing their openers cheaply.

Big scores to Simon Bierwirth (75) and Angus Andrew (60 not out), steadied the ship to get the team to 3-165.

A 74-run stand from Aiden Anthony was the only shining light for Bicton Attadale, as a capitulation from the batting order, which saw six ducks, had the side limp to 98 all out.

Kim Forrest took three wickets for Hilton Palmyra, while Harry Grigson and Liam O’Donnell took two each.

Phoenix lost their match after Leeming Spartan gave them a huge total of 236 to chase down.

No Phoenix batsmen was able carry on from a start and the team was all out for just 105.

The weekend’s results have seen some change to the SMCA main ladder, incorporating both one and two day matches, with East Fremantle now in second place while Cockburn, Phoenix and Hilton Palmyra occupy fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

The one-day matches continue this weekend, with Hilton Palmyra taking on the SJ Blues, Cockburn hosting Phoenix and East Fremantle playing Leeming Spartan.

All matches start at 1pm on December 22.