It was a Surrey day in Perth last Saturday when Stewart Walters and James Benning dominated the first grade scene in the Western Australian Premier League.

The two Surrey men continued their Club side Perth’s awesome record in the competition last Saturday by coming together to quash any of Melville cricket club’s hopes of causing an upset. The two Surrey men put on a quick match winning 73 run partnership to race their side to victory.

Perth won the toss at their home ground, Fletcher Park East and sent their opponents into bat. Although he did not take a wicket from his six overs, which yielded only 15 runs, Benning stood out in the field with three smart catches.

All out for only 91, Melville were staring down the barrel of an embarrassing loss in the One Day match. The two figure score looked an easy target for Perth and victory seemed a foregone conclusion. However this was not to be the case as they struggled at the top of their innings, losing their first wicket with the score still on noght. Batting at number four, the score was two down for 21 when Benning came to the crease. He was soon joined by his Surrey team mate and captain Walters, who walked out at three down for 25.

However the two Surrey bats then went to work and when Benning was caught for a rapid 59, Perth had already passed the victory target. His blistering innings came from just 57 balls and included 50 runs in boundaries - 11 fours and one six.

Walters ended 89 not out at the close of play from 126 balls, including 15 boundaries and he safely negotiated Perth to 209 for five wickets at the close. The Surrey men’s partnership typified their rich vein of form – perfect timing for the start of Surrey’s season in just over eight weeks time.

Perth are closing in on the team at the top of the ladder team, Scarborough, and have also extended their lead over the third placed Claremont-Nedlands.

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