Bayswater-Morley won their WACA First-Grade pennant clash with Joondalup on Saturday, but not without a few anxious moments.  The Bears, as expected, declared at their first day stumps total of 7/298 and challenged the visitors to reach the target in a full day of play.  Twenty-four year old Joondalup opening batsman Michael Swart anchored the innings in superb fashion and when he was finally dismissed for 134, the total was 7/250, just 49 short of victory. When he went, however, the firepower went with him and the last three wickets fell 16 runs short.

Swart had earlier figured in a fine fourth-wicket partnership of 85 with promising 16 year-old Rob Richards who contributed 46.  Swart's stay at the crease covered a little over five hours, during which he faced 201 balls and hit 17 fours and a six. The nuggety right-hander has been in career best form all summer and is in sight of a thousand runs for the season.  The other innings of note was James Boyland's gallant unbeaten 36 at the end.

Bayswater's performance in the field was very good and featured two vital run-outs by Chris Hall and Ryan Phillimore.  The attack was once again led by Mathew Inness whose 25 overs were spread over five spells, the first four of which yielded a wicket.  All-rounder Brendan Mills chimed in with 2/14 in the crucial last session, but it was Kim Lawrence who, with the aid of the second new ball, clinched the win for the Bears by taking the last two wickets for only seven runs in a fiery spell of 2.3 overs.

With only two preliminary rounds remaining, the Bears must maintain their winning momentum and record wins against Rockingham-Mandurah and Fremantle to have a chance of participating in the finals series.

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