Perth and Subiaco-Floreat claim T20 titles

After being sent into bat by their opponents University, Perth’s innings got off to a horror start, losing state-contracted opener Sam Fanning for just 1 in the early exchanges. 

Perth’s in-form wicketkeeper batter Joel Curtis, who has been a mainstay in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield team this summer, looked in ominous form early on, striking a couple of nice boundaries as he and Connor Blaxall Hill (36 off 27) made the most of the fielding restrictions.

Middle-order cameos from young Perth batter Tyler Mouritz (36 off 15) and allrounders Jack Baker (24 off 11) and Waheguru Dillon (19 off 8) powered Perth in the second half of their innings, with the Demons closing out their 20 overs on 7-187.

University skipper Will Bosisto (3-34 off four) finished as the pick of the bowlers for his side, while seamer Ethan Frankle (2-38 off four) also finished with multiple wickets.

University’s powerful batting lineup then got to work, with opener Viv Paver (50 off 36) and Bosisto (87 off 57) putting their side in a strong position with an 84-run stand for the second wicket. 

Blaxall-Hill (3-30) continued his fine allround performance to deliver the key wicket of Paver just as the game was getting away from Perth, before the offspinner followed up with the key breakthroughs of Chris Sabburg (2) and former English Test wicketkeeper James Bracey (1) in quick succession.

Perth quick Josh Nicholas then delivered the knockout blow, dismissing Bosisto 13 runs short of his century to squash all hopes of a University victory.

University finished on 5-173 after their 20 overs, with Perth’s bowling attack able to quell the momentum in the second half of the innings to earn a second straight T20 title.

Blaxall-Hill was a deserved recipient of the Player of the Match Award, top-scoring for his side with 36 and taking three crucial wickets.

Meanwhile, Subiaco-Floreat have ended Midland-Guildford’s run of Female A Grade titles, with a five-wicket victory.

Midland-Guildford were in a commanding position after their batting innings, posting a very competitive 3-166 off their 20 overs, thanks to a wonderful unbeaten century from Naomi Dattani (103 off 61 balls). The Englishwoman produced a dominant innings, striking 16 boundaries and two sixes.

State-contracted wicketkeeper batter Maddy Darke (77 off 44) then came out and produced a knock of equal significance, striking ten boundaries and a six of her own to give her side an opportunity to chase the 167-run target. 

Contributions from Jacqueline Naidoo (28) and Megan McColl (23 off 15) dragged Subiaco -Floreat over the line, as they chased down the target during a tense final over.

Despite her team being defeated, Dattani earned Player of the Match honours.

Premier T20
Perth 7/187 (Blaxall-Hill 36, Mouritz 36*, Bosisto 3/34) defeated University 5/173 (Bosisto 87, Paver 50, Blaxall-Hill 3/30)

Female A Grade 
Midland-Guildford 3/166 (Dattani 103*, McColl 2/25) defeated by Subiaco-Floreat (Darke 77, Naidoo 28, Peschel 1/23)