Third Grade
The 3’s travelled to Alderbury Reserve to take on a top 6 side in Subi-Floreat. After winning the toss and batting on a green deck, an important first session awaited.
After a testy first hour, Freo found themselves 1/20 odd as Jared Day joined Dylan Ratter at the crease. A match winning partnership unfolded as Jared built towards his first senior ton (116) and Dylan played a superb knock ending on 83. Some late innings hitting from Harding (42) and Benaquista (31) propelled the team to total of 304. On day 2 with ball it was a tough grind on a flattening pitch. Sparks and Xiao were able to do a great job with the new ball reducing Subi to 3/20, before Nick Campo struck twice in the over before lunch leaving the home side 5 down at lunch. From here it was a team effort with Xiao picking up another wickets, as well at Turrif-Smith, Mcdowell and Johns. Ultimately bowling Subi out for 135 and a strong win for Freo.
The 3’s come up against the top of the table Willeton next week, in what promise to be a challenge for the boys.
Fourth Grade
Round 7’s match up saw our boys take on last seasons premiers in Subiaco-Floreat. After losing the toss and being sent into bowl, much of the first session was a stalemate with neither side pulling away. A slow Stevens East wicket prompted a bowling change to wily veteran, Benoit Gaffney, who took on a pivotal role through the middle overs finishing with 4-54 from his 18 overs. Supported at the other end, offspinner Alex Cecchi bowled 23 overs and finished with 2-57. An all round performance by the boys on day one in the field, capped off with a superb run out from Aaron Beecroft resulted in Subiaco-Floreat finishing their innings on 218. Fremantle openers Benoit Gaffney and Jayden Camarda were required to see out three overs prior to the end of day one and closed the day at 0-7.
Day two started well for the Port with a few strong partnerships through the top order. Jayden Camarda batted through most of the day providing a strong anchor, while he piled on 83 of his own. Aaron Beecroft (41) and Luke Loveland (38*) were also strong contributors through the middle overs, while Chad Mathews showed that he has a long and promising career at Fremantle, scoring his first senior half century finishing on 57*, to go with his 149 in the U15s in the morning. Fremantle finished the day 5-275 with a great team performance and now sitting in fourth place on the ladder with two one day matches prior to the Christmas break.