Rockingham-Mandurah have slipped to second-last position on the Premier Cricket ladder after a narrow defeat in their two-day encounter against Subiaco-Floreat, though not without staging a thrilling late fightback that nearly turned the game on its head.
Early Struggles and a Glimmer of Hope
Defending a modest total of just 189 runs, the Mariners faced an uphill battle from the outset. The home side, Subiaco-Floreat, resumed their innings at 1-33, with WA-listed player Jayden Goodwin and Guy Taylor building a steady partnership. They guided the score to 91 before Taylor was dismissed leg before wicket for 38.
Just six runs later, Rockingham-Mandurah captain Damien Burrage claimed the crucial wicket of Goodwin for 34, leaving Subiaco-Floreat at 3-97 and injecting some hope into the Mariners' camp.
Burrage's Heroic Bowling Spell
Ollie Sykes and captain Sam Smith then combined for a 66-run stand that threatened to take the game away from Rockingham-Mandurah. However, Burrage stepped up dramatically, snaring Sykes for 39, Jack Retallack for a golden duck, and Conor Moldrich for eight, with all three catches taken by Josh Blake. He also bowled Sam Malajczuk for four, completing a remarkable five-wicket haul.
This burst left Subiaco-Floreat in a precarious position at 7-185, still four runs short of the Mariners' total and setting the stage for a tense finish.
Subiaco-Floreat's Resilient Response
Despite Burrage's efforts, Sam Smith and Chris Hansberry managed to guide Subiaco-Floreat past Rockingham-Mandurah's score. Smith eventually fell for 46, but the damage was done. Subiaco-Floreat finished the day at 9-226, securing first innings points and keeping their finals hopes alive.
For the Mariners, Jake Pattison provided support with figures of 2-37, complementing Burrage's standout performance of 5-61.
Looking Ahead
Rockingham-Mandurah now face a challenging road trip to take on ninth-placed South Perth in the second-last round of the regular season. This upcoming two-day clash will be crucial as they aim to finish the campaign on a positive note and build momentum for the future.
The match highlighted the Mariners' fighting spirit, but ultimately, their inability to capitalise on key moments cost them dearly, reinforcing the competitive nature of Premier Cricket this season.
