A magnificent performance by the Demons' bowlers enabled them to defend a mediocre total of 204, and the star-studded Gulls batting line-up was bundled out for just 81 in reply after at one stage being 7-39.

 

Man of the Match Michael Paterson scored 80 for Perth, which was the backbone of their innings before they were dismissed in the final over. He received handy back-up from all-rounder Dean Nelson, who held the lower order together and finished unbeaten on 38. Wicket-keeper Christiaan Moir chipped in with 35.

 

Retravision Warriors rookie paceman Simon Branston, who was aiming for a second successive Sunday League premiership after playing in Subiaco-Floreat's winning team last summer, took 4-35 from his ten overs to be the best of the Scarborough bowlers.

 

WA under-age all-rounder Daryl Mitchell picked up 3-39, leg-spinner Ty Hopes snared 2-24 from ten typically economical overs, and Retravision Warrior Theo Doropoulos was the other successful bowler with 1-18 from four.

 

The Demons needed to make early in-roads to have any hope of victory, and Paul Nicholas responded with the first three wickets of the Gulls' innings. Young star Marcus Harris was caught behind by Moir for one, Warriors rookie opener Marcus Stoinis (eight) was trapped in front, and Doropoulos (six) holed out to Gus Webster at mid-on.

 

The carnage didn't end there however, as Ross Scali sent Scarborough Captain Clint Heron (15) and Warriors rookie wicket-keeper Michael Johnson (one) packing, along with Hopes (one) and Josh Nicholas chimed in with the scalps of Justin Coetzee (no score) and Mitchell (11).

 

The tail wagged for the Gulls but were unable to pull off a miracle come back, and they were eventually dismissed in the 26th over as Perth completed a massive 123-run victory.

 

The win enabled Perth to exact some revenge on Scarborough for the Retravision Shield Grand Final defeat that the Gulls inflicted on them in 2007-08, while for their opponents the dream of a historic First Grade-Sunday League-Statewide T20 treble would have to wait for at least another season.

 

The two teams meet again at Abbett Park next Saturday for day two of their Retravision Shield First Grade encounter, where the home side will attempt to chase down a victory target of 313 to move back to the top of the table.

 

Perth and Scarborough may also face each other in the Statewide T20 final at Fletcher Park on Sunday should they get through their respective semi-finals against Rockingham-Mandurah and Wanneroo respectively.

 

Meanwhile, Fremantle has claimed the WACA's Under 18 Twenty20 competition after crushing Bayswater-Morley by 50 runs in yesterday's final at Stevens Reserve.

 

The home side made 6-143 from their 20 overs, led by WA Under 17 representatives Ashton Turner (47) and Daniel Kennedy (33 not out). Loiacono (2-28) and Van der Westhuizen (1-23) were best with the ball for the Bears.

 

Bayswater-Morley was dismissed for just 93 in reply. Notarangelo top-scored with 23, while Caltsounis (4-13) and Pepper (1-16) were among the wickets for Freo.

 

Fremantle will now head to Sydney for the National Under 18 Twenty20 Finals from February 22-23, where they will take on other winning teams from the various states and aim to replicate Wanneroo's achievement of winning the inaugural nationwide tournament in 2009.