No wins for the Mariners

Rockingham-Mandurah Mariners remain winless after round two of the WA Cricket Association first grade competition at the weekend.

The first grade battled to post reasonable scores, but were unable to defend them on both days.

Brayden Sutton (35 off 59) and Craig Simmons (50 off 118) endeavoured to give the Mariners something to bowl to after being inserted on a typically spicy Iluka wicket against Joondalup on Saturday. As the wicket got easier to bat on, the total of 7-164 looked like it would not be enough.

Joondalup got the runs with five wickets in hand and 10 overs to spare, demonstrating why they are reigning champions.

Aidan Andrews, bowling with his usual economy and craftiness, kept the Mariners in the match with 1-18 and was at it again on Sunday in a continuation of their washed-out round one game against Fremantle.

In his third season in the top grade, the paceman was again the team’s best bowler with 2-32.

The Mariners could not top gear as batsmen made starts, but were unable to convert to substantial scores.

Tony Coulson topped the batting with 31 as five of the top six made double figures in the Mariners’ 9-151.

Third grade swamped Fremantle on Sunday at Lark Hill and kept the visitors to a measly 8-137 from 45 overs.

The batsmen proceeded to give the team an early mark, cruising to 3-139 with over 15 overs in hand. On Saturday, Tom Lewis (54) and Syd Menezes (52) sensibly picked apart Joondalup’s bowling to guide the Mariners to 167.

The Mariners are now two from two in the third grade as the bowlers played their roles to a tee, dismissing the Centurions for 129.

The results were not so good in the other grades as the seconds conceded 5-236 against Joondalup and despite John Murphy’s 66 finished at 8-195.

Fourth grade lost both matches, as did the women in the B-grade competition.