Mariners bat well

A well-rounded Rockingham-Mandurah batting display has given them the edge over Wanneroo after day one of round seven in the WA Premier Cricket competition.

The Mariners found contributors in all parts of the order last Saturday after winning the toss and batting at Lark Hill.

English import Ed Pollock got the ball rolling with a positive approach to strike 91 from 133 deliveries with 14 boundaries.

When he departed at 6-161, captain Nick Willis, deputising for the injured Craig Simmons, filled the breach. The veteran all-rounder made his first A-grade half century to push the total beyond 200, finishing with 79 from 118 balls, including 11 fours and a six.

Importantly, he found a willing ally in Jordan Clark (35), pushing on for 77 runs for the eight wicket as Rockingham-Mandurah finished on 299.

The under-13 boys pulled off an incredible bowling feat, skittling Claremont-Nedlands for just 17 at Lark Hill.

Jye Donald (3-2) and Bryn Bursill (3-9) wrecked the top order before Finlay Phillips Johns and Calen Sprigg got a wicket each to complete an amazing 12-over rout.

Earlier, Rockingham-Mandurah made 6-140, with Jonah Lincoln (38), Reece Torrent (34no) and Cooper Dehring (26) playing important innings in the match-up of the undefeated teams.

Tough yards are ahead for the other Mariners teams in this weekend’s play as the Wanneroo gained sides the upper hand.

Second-grade are only 21 runs away from surrendering first innings points after being bowled out for 151 at Kingsway Reserve.

Eric Botha made 32 and Joel Humble struck 30 before the Roos cruised to 2-130.

Third-grade could only muster 121 at Lark Hill with Ronan Hogarth scoring 30 not out as top scorer and Meyer Van der Westhuizen chipping in with 25. At stumps, Wanneroo trail by 28 at 4-93, as Scott Bekker claimed 2-11.

Fourth-grade are one wicket away from losing outright as the Roos smashed 1-136 at Kingsway, with the Mariners tumbling for 83 and 9-21.

Midland-Guildford got the better of Rockingham-Mandurah in two female matches last weekend.

Saffron Mollett gave it her all in a 28-run loss in the under-15s, as the Mariners made 4-88, with the Swans responding with 4-116.

Mollett made 14 not out and cracked through Midland’s top order with 3-18.

Melanie Britton made 38no in the B-grade T20 match for Rockingham-Mandurah, who made 1-70. Midland-Guildford took the victory in the 14th over, smashing 1-74.

The under-17 boys will need to bowl with great discipline to defend 9-134 at Lark Hill.

Nathan Howell made 34 and Ronan Hogarth added 33 for the Mariners, who are sixth and locked in a tense battle with fifth-placed Wanneroo. Corey Wasley made 25 in Rockingham-Mandurah under- 15s score of 142 at Kingsway.

Seven batters made double figures and the visitors will need a similar team push with the ball this week to defend that total.

The under-14s had their first loss of the season as Claremont-Nedlands won by 34 runs at Lark Hill. The Mariners made 5-134 batting first before the visitors finished at 6-168.