Perth Cricket Club have maintained their recent dominance on WA Premier Cricket by claiming a second consecutive 50-over title, with a crushing 96-run victory over University at the WACA Ground yesterday.
Back-to-Back! Perth claim consecutive Premier Cricket One-Day titles
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Perth’s innings got off to a solid start thanks to some early boundaries from openers Sam Fanning (19) and Ben Geddes (24).
State-contracted quick Josh Vernon (1-16) claimed the first wicket of the day, dismissing the dangerous Geddes caught behind.
Perth wicketkeeper batter Joel Curtis then strode out to the crease at number three and immediately looked in ominous touch, as he aimed to carry on his incredible form so far this summer.
At 3-98 and with the game in the balance, Curtis (123 off 128) and Perth skipper Sean Roberts (74 off 68) produced a match-turning partnership of 143 for the fourth-wicket as the Demons seized control of proceedings.
The wicket of Roberts didn’t stop Perth’s momentum as Curtis carried on to his sixth First Grade century of the season, bringing it up with a trademark cut shot through point.
Late cameos from middle-order batters Tyler Mouritz (24*off 19) and Jack Baker (15 off eight) lifted Perth to an impressive 6-310 off their 50 overs in perfect batting conditions.
University seamer Thomas Gosling (2-59 off nine) was the pick of the bowlers, finishing as his side’s only multiple wicket-taker.
Heading into the chase, the much-vaunted University batting lineup would have fancied their chances of running down the 311-run target, but Perth were able to make inroads early.
University openers Tom Murray (15) and Vivian Paver (35), who combined for a 223-run stand in last weekend’s Semi-Final victory over Rockingham-Mandurah, were unable to repeat their heroics as Perth seamer Nathan Crudeli (4-47) got the initial breakthrough of University stand-in skipper Murray.
Paver then chopped a wide ball from quick Ethan Carrington (2-35) back onto his stumps a short time later as Perth started to tighten the screws during the initial fielding restrictions.
Former England wicketkeeper James Bracey (21) and state-contracted allrounder Charlie Stobo (11) were unable to continue their golden form from recent weeks, with the star pair falling to spinner Connor Blaxall-Hill (1-34 off 10) and Carrington respectfully as University slumped to 4-113.
Despite the best efforts of former state cricketer Chris Sabburg (67), University kept losing wickets at regular intervals throughout their innings which eventually saw them bowled for 214 in the 41st over.
Crudeli was a standout with the ball for Perth, striking in all three phases of the match, while each Perth bowler managed to pick up a wicket.
Curtis was named Player of the Match for his classy century, a knock that included 11 boundaries.
After securing a second straight one-day title, Perth’s attention will now turn towards making it a hat-trick of two-day titles later this season as the run towards the Finals heats up.
Perth 6-310 (Curtis 123, Roberts 74, Gosling 2-59) defeated University 214 (Sabburg 67, Paver 35, Crudeli 4-47)