In round Eleven of the Men’s WA Premier Cricket League, all four Willetton Dragons’ grades faced Midland-Guildford in one-day, 50-over matches, making for a thrilling weekend of cricket.
The Dragons’ first-grade team were at home at Burrendah Park, where Midland-Guildford won the toss and elected to bat.
The visitors made a solid start, with opener Jordan Roads scoring 50 runs off 42 balls, but the Dragons’ bowlers quickly gained control, tearing through the middle order.
Luke Holt claimed an impressive fifer, bowling 5/31.
Midland-Guildford was dismissed for just 167 runs in 41 overs.
Willetton chased down the target with ease.
Captain Iszak Milentis led by example, guiding the chase with an unbeaten 74 runs, supported by all-rounder Kade Povey, who also remained not out with 55 runs.
The Dragons cruised to 3/171 in just 36 overs, securing a seven-wicket victory.
Willetton now sits sixth on the ladder and will face second-placed University at James Oval this Saturday on the first day of a two-day match.
The second-grade Dragons were part of a thrilling finish, with the match going down to the very last ball away at Lilac Hill Park in Caversham.
Willetton batted first but found runs hard to come by early before Cole Seggery steadied the innings with a magnificent century, scoring 100 runs off 117 balls.
Alex Hepburn contributed 35 as the Dragons reached 194 before being bowled out in the final over.
Midland-Guildford’s Jack Giancono was the pick of their bowlers, taking 5/31.
Defending a modest total, Willetton’s bowlers fought valiantly, with Cameron Becker removing the opener for a duck in the first over.
However, Mitchell Pope led Midland-Guildford’s chase with a solid 82 runs.
With 12 runs needed off the final over, Alex Hepburn held his nerve, bowling a dot ball on the last delivery to secure a thrilling four-run victory.
The win keeps Willetton second on the ladder, setting up a top-of-the-table clash against University at Burrendah Park this weekend.
At home at Burrendah Park, Willetton’s third-grade side posted 7/171 but suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Midland-Guildford.
Charlie Gough for the Dragons top-scored with 55 runs off 105 balls.
Midland-Guildford chased down the target in just 40 overs, led by Harrison Giancono’s unbeaten 74, finishing at 3/174.
The third-grade Dragons now sit seventh and will travel to James Oval this Saturday to face University.
The fourth-grade Dragons posted the highest score of the weekend across Willetton’s four senior grades, setting 7/218 off 45 overs, with Brennan Wilson leading the way with 78 runs at Lilac Hill Park.
However, Midland-Guildford chased down the target comfortably, losing just two wickets and reaching 221 runs in 44.2 overs, winning by eight wickets.
The Fourth Grade Dragons are fifth on the ladder after eleven rounds and will host University at Burrendah Park on Saturday.
