Weekend wrap for our round 13 clash against Joondalup
1ST Grade
Wanneroo 10/51 & 10/94 def by Joondalup 3d/213
The 1s suited up against Joondalup on what was a hot muggy day. Joondalup won the toss and elected to bowl on what was a relatively traditional Kingsway wicket. The Roos got off to a good start being 0/19 before 1 wicket unfortunately brought another 9 as the home side was bowled out for 51. By the end of the day Joondalup had piled up 3/213 before declaring and sending in the Roos to get through a tricky period in which they lost 1 wicket before the close of play. Day 2, Wanneroo failed to show much fight and eventually were dismissed for 94 as Joondalup walked away with a mammoth win.
2nd Grade
Joondalup 8/299 def Wanneroo 10/186
In a thrilling 2nd Grade match, Wanneroo came up short against Joondalup. Despite a standout performance from a Wanneroo player who took an impressive five wickets, the team couldn’t secure the win. The key factor in the loss was the absence of Bailey Richards, who had been the Player of the Match in the previous round. His unavailability left a significant gap in the team’s performance. Bailey Richards is a name that has been gaining traction in the local cricket scene, especially after his exceptional performance in the previous match. His ability to change the game with both bat and ball makes him one of the most exciting players in the league. However, Bailey’s dedication to athleticism extends far beyond cricket — he is also an avid long-distance runner, constantly challenging himself in different sporting arenas. This past weekend, Bailey made the tough decision to miss his team’s match against Joondalup due to his commitment to a running event down south, in Margaret River.
Bailey’s weekend trip down south wasn’t just about getting away for some fresh air; it was part of his training for endurance running. On Saturday, Bailey completed an incredible 60 km as part of a running challenge through the stunning Margaret River trails. With the region’s breathtaking natural beauty, it was the perfect setting for someone as driven as Bailey, whose passion for running is matched only by his passion for cricket.
Margaret River’s trails offer a variety of landscapes, from dense forests to coastal views, providing the ideal conditions for Bailey to test his limits. For him, it wasn’t just about covering the distance but also about pushing himself mentally and physically, gaining valuable experience and building the resilience needed for both his running and cricket. The fact that he can juggle these two demanding sports speaks volumes about his commitment to self-improvement.
By Sunday, Bailey was feeling great after his 60 km run, having embraced the challenge and conquered it with a positive attitude. While his absence from the cricket field on Sunday was unfortunate for his team, there’s no doubt that his running adventure contributed to his own growth as an athlete.
Bailey’s unavailability for the match left a notable gap in Wanneroo’s lineup. His contributions in the previous round had made him a key player, with his performance earning him Player of the Match accolades. Having such an influential player absent from the squad meant Wanneroo was missing both his physical presence and his leadership. The team fought valiantly, but without Bailey, they were unable to secure the win against Joondalup.
Even though his team may have suffered a setback, Bailey’s commitment to his athletic pursuits, whether on the cricket field or running trails, shows the incredible versatility and drive he brings to everything he does. And who knows? Perhaps the experience he gained running 60 km through Margaret River will inspire his next match-winning performance when he returns to the cricket field. Bailey Richards is, without a doubt, a player to watch — in cricket and beyond.
3rd Grade
Wanneroo 10/124 & 3/60 def by Joondalup 9d/151
Day 1:
It was a bright and hopeful day as Wanneroo 3s strode onto their home turf, full of confidence and the belief that today was the day we’d make our ancestors proud (or at least not embarrass them too much). Winning the toss, we decided to bat first—a decision that in hindsight, may have been inspired more by blind optimism than sound logic.
The innings started like a slow-burning drama, with plenty of twists, turns, and a few unintended comedic moments. Kane Pearce (19) and Kealey Farrant (19) showed glimpses of brilliance, both crafting some elegant strokes before succumbing to Joondalup’s bowling attack. Gregory Maher (12) and Oliver Hudson (17) played solid supporting roles, while Sharad Jessani (18) gave the late innings a much-needed boost with some well-timed shots.
Unfortunately, Joondalup’s bowlers, particularly Harrison Young (3 wickets), had other plans. Before we knew it, the curtains closed on our innings at 124 all out.
With the ball in hand, our mission was clear: fight back hard and make Joondalup work for every run. And fight back we did! John Walter (3/27) turned back the clock with an inspired spell, while Cody Billington (4/24) showed no mercy, slicing through their lineup like a hot knife through butter. At 5 wickets down heading into the following week, we had them in a spot of bother—hope was still alive!
Day 2:
Joondalup returned to the crease determined to chase down our total, and unfortunately for us, they batted pretty well (a little too well, to be honest). We managed to grab one more wicket before they passed our score, but despite our best efforts, they edged their way to 151 before we finally sent them packing.
With the game out of reach, we decided to have some fun in the second innings. Kane Pearce (46* off 31) decided it was his time to shine (as usual making runs that don’t count), absolutely peppering the boundary and making the Joondalup fielders question their life choices. He had solid support from Tom Blythman (11) and Oliver Hudson (11), taking us to 3/60 before tea brought an end to proceedings.
In the end, Joondalup walked away with the win by 4 wickets, but we left the field with our heads high, knowing we still had box position to finish the home and away season top 2 on the ladder. STILL PLENTY TO PLAY FOR….
Onto the next one, Roos!
4th Grade
Joondalup 7/370 def Wanneroo 10/131
The 4’s were feeling confident going into their bout with cross town rivals Joondalup leading into to the finals. Unfortunately, that confidence turned into misery as they were handed their worst loss of the year.
The skipper Liam lost the toss (shock) and the 4’s were sent into bowl on a deck so flat Taylor Swift would be proud. Jayden Rae took quite possibly the best catch eyeballs have ever seen in the first over at gully, bringing pure euphoria to the team early. Unfortunately, that was the only hit of happiness they felt for the next 50 overs as 1st graders took the absolute piss out of the bowlers. On track for 500, all hope was lost. Until Jayden Rotham broke through with a genuine half tracker that found Jayden Rae on the rope. A lot of runs and not many wickets later Joondalup finished on 7/370 after 80 overs. Liam Carroll finishing with 2/62 and Jacob Henneberry with 2/46 were the pick of the bowlers. The boys drove home feeling down but hopeful they could chase it down on Taylor Swifts chest, shit I mean Iluka.
Week 2 rolls around and the 4’s are feeling up and about ready to chase a big score. Jayden Rae and Liam Carroll each purchasing new gloves before the game. Little did they know they wouldn’t need to as they combined for 0. Tyler Brown batted well under pressure but ultimately his forearms were just too small to clear cow corner. A few starts and a few ducks later, Wanneroo were rolled for 131 and, in true 4’s fashion, were 6 deep at 6. Although the boys got a proper hiding, they charged into Past Players Day and came away the real winners.