James Benning murdered club side Willetton's bowling attack on Saturday afternoon to take Perth to victory and put his side in a great position for play-off qualification at the end of the season.

Benning smashed the Willetton attack on Saturday in the Perth District First Grade competition. The Surrey man finished with 176 from just 142 balls, including 18 fours and seven sixes. Playing for the Perth club in Western Australia's top competition, Benning had a great all round game in his team's easy first innings win.

Willetton batting first in the two day match, finished with 118 all out. Perth were in big trouble when they began their run chase, being three wickets down for just seven runs and soon after, four down for 16. Surrey's other man at Perth, the captain and coach Stewart Walters, was one of these early victims falling for a duck after 11 balls. But when Benning came to the crease at number five, the game took a whole new direction.

Along with Angus Webster, he put on 140 for the fifth wicket with his partner scoring just 34 of these. Webster retired hurt with the score at 156 for four but Benning continued his destructive performance to take Perth past 250.

Walters brought his players in, allowing Perth an opportunity to pick up valuable second innings bonus points. Benning helped to justify his Surrey team mate’s decision, showing his worth as a bowler by picking up one wicket for 42 to go with his one for 17 in the first innings.

In Willetton's second innings Benning opened the bowling and sent down 15 overs with two maidens. Walters also bowled well, finishing with match figures of 15 overs , one maiden, two wickets for 37. The skipper also picked up three catches.

After 11 matches, Perth fins themselves in second place and in contention to make the end of season play-offs.

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