University break 50-year Premiership drought

University, who claimed the Minor Premiership after dominating the regular season, entered the Grand Final at the top of their game after defeating Willetton by 157 runs in the Semi-Final.

Their opponents, Joondalup took the longest possible route to reach the showpiece match at WA’s home of cricket after qualifying for the finals in sixth position following a last-round triumph over Gosnells. 

An elimination final victory over University kept their season alive while knocking off the highly-fancied Rockingham-Mandurah at Lark Hill and allowed Joondalup to qualify for their first top-grade decider for a decade.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Joondalup were immediately able to make inroads into University’s much-vaunted batting lineup, with State U19s quick Jordan Quiggin’s new-ball burst leaving the students at 3-50 after the first hour.

Former first-class cricketer Chris Sabburg then came to the crease and made his presence felt from ball one, striking multiple boundaries early in his innings to put the pressure back on the Joondalup bowlers.

Despite Sabburg looking in fine touch, wickets kept tumbling at the other end as Joondalup reduced the batting side to 6-117. With the experience of Viv Paver and Charlie Stobo back in the shed, Sabburg took it upon himself to get his team back in the game, with a counter-attacking innings that saw him access boundaries to every corner of the WACA Ground.

He found a willing ally in Jay Chislett (25), with the pair combining for a 96-run stand to get University back in the contest.

Sabburg’s fine innings continued, going on to reach his first century of the season. His day ended on 119, with Joe Inglis forcing a flashy drive from the left-hander, which ended in hands of Joondalup captain Jaron Morgan at gully.

University was eventually bowled out for 243, a highly competitive total on a tricky batting wicket. Seamer Kai Orr (5-45 off 15.4 overs) was the chief destroyer, while Quiggin (3-46 off 13) was a constant threat with his pace and bounce.

Joondalup went about the run-chase in attacking fashion, with opener Jake Gerrans (20) putting the pressure on the University bowlers with a flurry of boundaries to open proceedings.

State contracted quick Josh Vernon was able to make the initial breakthrough, trapping Gerrans in front with a delivery that swung back sharply to the right-hander.

Scott Gerrans (6) followed soon after, and when WA spinner Corey Rocchiccioli sneaked one past the defences of Garrick Morgan (16), Joondalup were suddenly in trouble at 3-47. 

Orr (33) and allrounder Jake Zsillinsky (23) came together to produce a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket to bring some stability to the Joondalup innings before WA quick Charlie Stobo removed Zsillinsky with the score on 97.

Quick wickets of Orr and Morgan (4) gave University all the momentum before a counter-attacking cameo from lower-order batter Joe Inglis breathed life back in the contest.

Inglis came out to the crease and immediately set about lifting his team, taking on the spin duo of Rocchiccioli and Jay Chislett with a series of shots over the mid-wicket boundary.

Rocchiccioli (3-34) and Chislett (2-39) kept their nerve despite the onslaught to wrap up the remaining wickets left in the innings, as Joondalup fell 70-runs short of the 244-run target. 

Wickets were shared among the University bowlers, with all five bowlers used by skipper Tom Murray claiming a wicket, with four of them finishing with multiple.

Sabburg’s performance on day one saw him claim Player of the Match honours, with his century proving the difference between the two sides.

University 243 (Sabburg 119, Orr 5-45, Quiggin 3-46) defeated Joondalup 174 (Inglis 40, Rocchiccioli 3-34, Drennan 2-19)