It was a weekend for the bowlers as Warriors trio Ryan Duffield, Jason Behrendorff and Joel Paris all claimed five-wicket hauls while the batsmen found the going tough.

Duffield’s 5-19 helped the Storm clinch a first innings victory over Willetton, while Paris’ 5-26 set up Claremont-Nedlands for an outright triumph over University. Behrendorff took 6-37 as Subiaco-Floreat closed in on victory against Rockingham-Mandurah.

Melville, Claremont-Nedlands and Scarborough all were winners, while Subiaco-Floreat, South Perth, Bayswater-Morley and Fremantle put themselves in good positions to clinch the points, with Joondalup-Wanneroo’s game in the balance.

Joondalup (4th, LWDWD) v Wanneroo (5th, WWDWL), Iluka

Wanneroo 209 (Charles 61, Fawcett 31; Boyland 4-48, Sprague 2-41, Shekhawat 2-47) v Joondalup 1-19 (Newnham 6*; Jennings 1-11)

This match is well poised after the Roos posted just over 200, before claiming a wicket late in the day. Wanneroo had lost 3-4 to slump to 4-82, before Joel Charles’ important 61. James Boyland took four scalps, while new Indian recruit Nishant Singh Shekhawat bowled 24 overs and took two wickets. Garrick Morgan lost his wicket off Stephen Jennings’ bowling late in the day, to set the game up nicely.

University (14th, LLDLD) v Claremont-Nedlands (1st, WWWWD), James Oval

University 88 (King 45; Paris 5-26, Parsons 2-34) & 1-23 (Birrell 11*, Bosisto 6*; Parsons 1-12) v Claremont-Nedlands 3-127 dec (Hobson 30*, Turkich 30*; McKay 1-13)

The Tigers’ bowling attack continued their stellar form, rattling through University’s depleted batting line-up for 88 with Joel Paris and Hayden Parsons outstanding. When Uni lost skipper Joshua Mangan, they lost 7-31, with top scorer Craig King run out by John Bryant. Claremont-Nedlands came out and reached the target in quick time, before declaring and claiming a late wicket through Parsons to tee themselves up for an outright win.

Willetton (8th, LWDLW) v Melville (2nd, WWDWD), Burrendah Reserve

Willetton 86 (O’Connell 42; Duffield 5-19, Porter 3-12) v Melville 8-101 (Scollay 19; Mackin 4-32, McCall 2-21, Ball 2-37)

It was a difficult day for the batsmen, as the Dragons were bundled out for 86, before the Storm reached the target eight down which was enough to take the points. Drew Porter did the early damage, taking three of the first four wickets to reduce Willetton to 4-19, before Ryan Duffield ripped through the line-up despite Reece O’Connell’s resistance. In reply, no one stood up for Melville but they managed to get the runs despite slumping to 8-69.

Gosnells (13th, LWLLD) v Scarborough (7th, WWDLD), Sutherlands Park

Gosnells 38 (Short 11; Jones 4-5, Branston 4-15, Tye 2-18) v Scarborough 9-194 (Tye 34*, Johnson 32; Proctor 4-42, Dalton 2-54)

Nick Jones continued his exceptional form with the ball, after last week’s hat-trick, claiming 4-5, while Simon Branston took 4-15 as the Gulls ripped through Gosnells’ batting line-up, dismissing them for a meagre 38. Branston did the damage in the top order, before Jones finished off the tail as Gosnells lost 5-2. Scarborough built a strong lead in response, setting themselves up for an outright win.

Perth (12th, WLDLD) v Bayswater-Morley (11th, LLWLD), Fletcher Park

Bayswater-Morley 321 (A. Todd 74, M. Todd 51, Loiacono 48; McIver 2-46, P. Nicholas 2-54) v Perth 4-28 (Snadden 9*; Francis 2-14, O’Connor 1-5)

The Bears enjoyed an excellent day, putting behind their batting woes to score 300-plus in 80 overs with the reliable Aaron Todd in good form. Kyle Francis got stuck into Bayswater-Morley’s top order, dismissing Aaron O’Connor and Andrew McLean early on to put the Bears in the box seat for next week. Jake Snadden and Ashutosh Dahiya are not out at the crease and have plenty of work ahead of them next week.

South Perth (10th, WLLWD) v Mount Lawley (3rd, WWDWD), Richardson Park

South Perth 185 (Reed 52, Radunovich 35; Dixon 5-53, Butler 2-24) v Mount Lawley 2-4 (Ord 2*; Penter 1-1, Ringrose 1-2)

The Sky Blues are well placed after two wickets late in the day reduced the unbeaten Hawks to 2-4. South Perth have the runs on the board, posting 185 with Blake Reed top scoring with a half century, although they had to fight back from 4-37. Simon Ringrose and Alex Penter got wickets late in the day to grab the initiative.

Fremantle (16th, LLLLL) v Midland-Guildford (15th, LLDLD), Stevens Reserve

Fremantle 9-289 (Buller 67, Davenport 46; Parry 4-60, Baker 2-50)

The Port Boys are in a strong position to claim their first victory of the season after an excellent day with the bat, led by opener Jordan Buller and wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Davenport. Matthew Milton (33) and Ashton Turner (37) also contributed with the bat, but Stephen Parry dismissed both of them and was Midland-Guildford’s best bowler.

Rockingham-Mandurah (9th, LLDWW) v Subiaco Floreat (6th, WLWWD), Lark Hill

Rockingham-Mandurah 128 (Simmons 39; Behrendorff 6-37, Thomson 2-28) v Subiaco-Floreat 6-111 (Glew 37*; Andrews 3-51, Simmons 2-29)

The Mariners were left bitterly disappointed after they went from 2-69 to all out for 128. Warriors bowler Jason Behrendorff was the chief destroyer and when he got rid of Craig Simmons for 39 caught by Steven Glew, Rockingham-Mandurah offered little resistance. In reply, the Lions closed to the target at six down, with Glew unbeaten at the crease and the key to finishing the job next week.