Port Boys all set for finals

Fremantle had won three on the trot but its charge to the finals was blunted despite pummelling 367 runs on day two of its match on Saturday.

A week earlier the Port Boys were bowled out for just 98, with Gosnells claiming first innings points after finishing day one at 6-119.

Fremantle returned to Huntingdale needing to take the four remaining wickets, to score quickly in the second dig and then take a further 10 scalps to secure an unlikely outright win.

But the hosts had other ideas with Aaron Keverne-Onyon crunching 11 fours and three sixes in a 64-ball 80 that allowed his side to declare 97 runs in front.

It was a position that offered Gosnells the chance to claim a first outright win for the season.

Ultimately it was not to be.

Despite crumbling on day one, the Fremantle top order provided significantly more resistance second time around as the visitors piled on 367 runs at better than a run a ball.

Five of Fremantle’s top six batsmen scored half centuries.

In his last innings before returning to Somerset, Tom Abell smashed 10 fours off just 33 deliveries.

The punishment continued after the Englishman was dismissed for 54 with Jake Carder (70 off 74) and Christopher Wood (56 off 47) sharing in a 104 run stand packed with neat strokes and big hits.

Luke Pomersbach made his side’s second breakthrough when he had Wood trapped LBW with the score on 178.

Pomersbach claimed his side’s third wicket by bowling Chris Fenner for four, and Matthew Leipold finally ended Carder’s innings soon after.

Despite losing 3-10, fears of a second major batting collapse in two weeks were eased with Daniel Kennedy and Chris Davenport sharing in a 114 run partnership.

Kennedy cleared the rope three times on his way to 81 off 66, while Davenport was more measured with 60 off 71.

Fremantle eventually finished at 7-367 off 57 overs.

Brett Bayley took two wickets to finish with seven for the match.

Of the 57 overs bowled by Gosnells on day two, Jeremy McFarlane bowled his side’s only maiden.

Gosnells did not bat again but despite a trying day in the field, claimed first innings points.

The loss leaves Fremantle in sixth place ahead of this season’s final home and away game with Wanneroo, but are locked in to play finals.

The Port Boys can finish as high as fourth.

Gosnells are ninth.