Mariners eye top-six berth

Rockingham-Mandurah pushed the door open late on day one and charged through it in the first hour last Saturday to record a crucial 53-run Western Australian Premier Cricket victory over Melville at Lark Hill.

In the process, the Mariners moved within half a win of the top six before this week’s clash against reigning premiers Subiaco-Floreat.

A pack mentality by Rockingham-Mandurah’s bowlers dismissed the Storm for 157, after resuming at 4-116 in the round 8 encounter. Young speedster Jordan Clark claimed two of the first three wickets within 13 runs being scored, as the Mariners meant business.

He finished with 2-37 as Aaron Burrage (2-7), Ryan Done (2-25) and Matt France (2-39) took their opportunity when it arose to claw their team back into finals reckoning.

By stumps, Burrage had completed a solid game with a second-dig 54 and Vinnie Poller accumulated 42 of Rockingham- Mandurah’s 6-156.

This Saturday’s final match before Christmas at Floreat Oval against the Lions, who are one game ahead in fourth, could be a massive fillip for a team that has three of their four wins at home, if they could take a big scalp on the road.

Victories also came JUon the weekend in the under-15s and under-17s in arm wrestles before the Mariners eventually pushed over Melville.

The under-17s won by 25 runs at Lark Hill, defending their score of 164 to bowl out the Storm for 139.

Bevan Kearney earned plaudits for his superb effort in taking 4-26 from 12 overs.

Along with Connor Russell (2-34), he shut down the visitors from 2-60 to 8-75 to push the Mariners closer to the top six.

The under-15s had some nervy moments but sneaked past Melville’s 120 with two wickets to spare at Tompkins Park. Jack Richards top-scored with 33 but his and another two wickets fell at 111.

Jordan Crudeli and Rhett Bazzo whacked three boundaries to see Rockingham-Mandurah home at 8-136.

Rockingham-Mandurah women were denied the chance to see out a close match against Midland-Guildford when the rain handed the Swans the victory.

The Mariners made 102 at Lark Hill, bowled out in 38 overs, as Melanie Britton led the way from the top with 43. Midland were 3-51 when the rain came.

Midland were 3/51 when the rain came but the hosts were not without their chance in the contest courtesy of Saffron Mollett’s 2/18 and Mel Saunders’ 1/16

A gritty rearguard from second grade saw them fall short by 41 runs at Tompkins Park.

Hope of overtaking Melville’s 208 looked forlorn at 6/72 but young players Ronan Hogarth (29), Patrick Italiano (25*) and Byron Blevin (24) batted for close to 50 overs with the Mariners eventually going down for 167 in the 97th over.

Third grade lost outright to Melville, who only needed to bat once for their 5/256.

In the Mariners’ second innings of 118 only Shaun Guppy (41) and Jye Clark (39) made it into double figures.

Fourth grade resisted such fate after following on, making 63, still 163 away from Meville’s first innings of 7/226.

David Langan lasted 72 balls for his 25 as the Mariners’ 7/72 took up 47 second innings overs before stumps were drawn.

This week’s match up against Subiaco-Floreat is the last of 2017 before a one-week break over the New Year when competitions resume on January 6 and 7.