WACA Premier Cricket: Perth pair topples 91-year-old batting record

RECORDS are made to be broken and some feel like they will stand forever.

Perth pair Luke Jury and Angus Webster proved otherwise on November 12, putting Gosnells to the sword to break a 91-year-old record.

On 11 January 1925, East Perth legends Les Freemantle and Frank Quinlan combined to lead their side to a win over Claremont at the WACA Ground; fast-forward 91 years and this sixth-wicket partnership has finally been bettered.

Century-makers Jury and Webster came together at 5-35 against Gosnells at Sutherlands Park, before sharing a club record 202-run sixth wicket stand to guide Perth to a match-winning 6-308 from 90 overs.

Perth skipper Jury believes luck was a big factor in the landmark partnership, paying tribute to the form of the opposition bowling attack.

“We came together and the wicket was doing a bit,” he said.

“The Gosnells bowlers were bowling really well.

“We had to really nut it out and took the luck we were given along the way.

“Before we knew it we reached tea, Angus got his hundred, then I followed. It was good fun.”

Jury has peeled off plenty of dominant innings throughout his career, however considers this one of his finest Premier Cricket achievements.

“The innings is definitely right up there, but it’s always more satisfying when you get a score like that when it contributes to a win,” he said.

“Also when the team was in trouble it was nice to have a larger contribution off the back of that.”

Jury’s record breaking was not finished there, with the Perth product also reaching 2000 first grade runs in the process, a feat that has taken a decade.

“It’s really nice, definitely one of those things along the way that takes you by surprise,” he said.

“At the end of the day it is just another run I guess, whether it’s 2000 or not. But it’s nice to cover that milestone.”

Widely viewed as one of the most united Premier Cricket clubs, Jury has transformed the culture of Perth, with all players knowing their role come game day.

“For the past three seasons we have worked really hard on our culture and what we want to stand for,” he said.

“All the players are on the same page and want to buy in.

“It just makes it a great place to be around, everyone enjoys rocking up to training and being involved. It’s a great club to be a part of.”

While Perth’s two-day premiership wait continues, the captain trusts success is just around the corner, with finals redemption firmly in all the players’ sights.

“We felt like we got so close last year and the fire is burning for all those boys in the first grade side,” he said.

“From a club perspective we missed out on the club championship by as close as it gets, two years in a row, that’s something we value highly.

“It’s definitely still burning.”