Loss, other results end champs’ reign

Veteran James Boyland, in what may have been his final game for the club, claimed a stunning seven wickets but it wasn’t enough in the two-day elimination final fixture at Fletcher Park over the weekend.

Joondalup could have reached the semi finals despite the loss, but an upset win to sixth-placed Fremantle over top-placed Rockingham-Mandurah meant the Mariners survived as the highest-placed loser. The three winners and top loser from the three games of the first finals round advance to the next round in the competition’s top-six finals setup.

Boyland took 7-66 to put his side in front early as the hosts were reduced to 7-164.

Clint Hinchliffe and Aaron Todd both took a wicket each, however Perth fought back to make 268 in their first innings, led by Ryan Duffield with 72.

With Hinchliffe and Josh Inglis at the crease, Joondalup had hope but slumped to 7-138.

The premiers lacked partnerships, despite Inglis’ lone effort.

A couple of late partnerships added respectability to the score-line as the Centurions were dismissed for 225, 37 runs short, with Duffield taking the last wicket.