1ST GRADE
1st grade put in an extremely disappointing performance against Perth, losing by 258 runs at Burrendah Park.
Kallen Bond won the toss and chose to field but the Demons’ powerful batting lineup had the best of the first day, posting a formidable total of 8 for 342 from their 90 overs.
D’Arcy Short (3/104 from 26 overs), Waheguru Dhillon (2/72 from 23 overs), Brock Larance (1/28 from 4 overs), and Zach Ferris (1/66 from 17 overs) picked up wickets for the Dragons.
Setbacks happened early and often on the second day, with the batters a long way from their best and everything going the way of the visitors as the score slipped to 7 for 29.
Luke Holt (28 from 41 balls) and Matt Hanna (22 from 24 balls) took to the long handle but a final total of 84 from 28.1 overs was a poor result.
Despite the loss, 1st grade progress to the semi finals as the highest ranked loser and will host Bayswater-Morley this weekend with a grand final place on the line.
2ND GRADE
2nd grade needed to win to keep their season alive and did so, beating Bayswater-Morley by 74 runs at Burrendah Park.
The Dragons batted first and posted a competitive total of 203 from 84.1 overs, with Sean Boers (66 from 140 balls) and David Cameron (46 from 110 balls) leading the way.
In reply, the Bears took the game deep but consistent wickets kept a lid on their innings, which eventually ended all out for 129 from 72.1 overs, with seamers Oliver Arkinstall (4/43 from 21 overs), Cameron Becker (4/38 from 15.1 overs) and Nic Geisler (1/4 from 12 overs) putting in standout efforts.
The Dragons will head to Kingsway Sports Ground to take on Wanneroo in next week’s semi final.
3RD GRADE
3rd grade kept their season alive with a 29 run win over Subiaco-Floreat at Alderbury Reserve.
Chris Lagana won the toss and chose to bat but the Dragons slipped into some early trouble at 3 for 24, with Ellis Cassidy, Ben Witschge, and Stewart Hepburn all back in the sheds.
With the season on the line, Brennan Wilson stepped up, falling agonisingly short of a hundred with a brilliant 94 from 135 balls.
After Wilson’s departure, the score was boosted further to 237 from 74.4 overs thanks to some lower order resistance led by James Andrews (54* from 103 balls) with support from James Scott (17 from 41 balls) and Jordan Hodgetts (13 from 24 balls).
On day two, the Dragons had to stay patient as the Lions got themselves to 1 for 99, but their persistence paid off as they reduced them to 6 for 115.
Tension threatened to build as the hosts put some late partnerships on the board, but the bowlers held their nerve to end the innings for 208 after 81.3 overs.
Experienced all-rounders Cassidy (3/33 from 18.3 overs) and Hepburn (3/16 from 15 overs) led the way, with Lagana (2/34 from 14 overs) and Scott (2/46 from 14 overs) playing their roles.
3rd grade will head up the freeway to take on Joondalup at Iluka Sports Complex in next week’s semi final.
UNDER 17’S
Under 17’s defeated Fremantle by 4 wickets at Fletcher Park.
Forced on the road with senior fixtures on both Burrendah ovals, the Dragons bowled first and limited the Port Boys to 145 from 44.1 overs.
Jagan Singh continued his outstanding season, claiming 5 for 26 from 9.1 overs, with Jevan Buckland (2/11 from 4 overs), Kai D’Souza (2/21 from 8 overs) and Dulina Gamage (1/22 from 8 overs) also bowling well.
Rajat Deshmukh (62* from 127 balls) anchored the chase from the top of the order as the Dragons got the job done with 50 balls to spare.
Under 17’s will be back at home next week to take on Centurions, with the winner progressing to the grand final.