Mitch Marsh scored 59 from 36 deliveries against Gosnells on Saturday.
Camera IconMitch Marsh scored 59 from 36 deliveries against Gosnells on Saturday. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Fremantle suffer first Premier Cricket loss, despite Shaun Marsh century

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

The Port Boys fell by four wickets in a top-of-the-table clash with Claremont Nedlands, who were able to chase down the 220-run target set by the visitors at Cresswell Park on Sunday.

Earlier in the day Marsh scored a well-constructed 117 from 153 deliveries opening the innings in his first weekend for Fremantle in season 2016-17.

The 33-year-old, who struck five fours and three sixes, helped set a platform for the visitors after sharing in a 108-run partnership with import Tom Abell (56 runs from 62 deliveries).

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

But a lack of contributors down the order saw Fremantle bowled out in the 49th over after losing 8-94.

They had been well placed at 2-125.

Jack Cattrall secured his best one-day bowling figures of the campaign so far, finishing with 4-34 off eight overs.

MORE: 2017 real estate forecast: property experts weigh in

MORE: Roe 8 opponents lose bid for Federal Court injunction

MORE: Falls Downtown could be the start of a golden era

Matthew Kelly and Haydan Morton finished with three wickets each, the former claiming Marsh’s scalp.

Fremantle made an early breakthrough with the ball when Tom Abell had Tigers opener Nicholas Hobson caught for just one run.

But a patient 66 from Jacob Whiteaker and cameos by a number of batsmen in the middle order saw the hosts to victory in the penultimate over.

The result means Claremont-Nedlands move 16 points clear of Fremantle at the top and look likely to claim the Kevin Sullivan Silver Cup.

The loss came a day after Fremantle had kept its perfect start to the season intact by beating Gosnells by 38 runs at Sutherlands Park.

Mitch Marsh smacked nine boundaries in a quick fire 59 from 36 deliveries batting at three, with contributions from older brother Shaun, Chris Chellew and Chris Wood seeing Fremantle reach 8-225.

Matt Leipold threatened to get Gosnells home with 60 runs from 70 deliveries, but a middle order collapse halted momentum and the hosts were eventually bowled out for 187.

Fremantle hosts Willetton at Stevens Reserve on Saturday.