Kevin Johnston, Toby O’Grady combine to guide Port to another big win against Miners

A standout partnership between Kevin Johnston and Toby O’Grady has kept Port Hedland Cricket Club’s undefeated start to the season going with an eight-wicket win against the Miners. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the bottom-of-the-table Miners were able to put a respectable 146 runs on the board against the league leaders thanks to Razi Zain’s 11 boundaries. Having smashed 258 runs against the Miners in round 4, Port looked confident they could match the total — but a duck for opener Chris Briody and just a single run for his partner Glen Robertson had the favourites sweating. Luckily, Kevin Johnston and Toby O’Grady settled at the crease for their 125-run partnership off 101 balls, tearing apart the Miner’s bowlers to win by eight wickets. The pair must’ve been in a rush to get to the pub, smashing 21 boundaries in the partnership and hitting a six on the final ball to grasp the win in just 17 overs. The following day a low-total game between second-placed South Hedland and third place Wanderers saw South keep within arms reach of the top of the ladder. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Wanderers suffered a shocking top-order collapse with opener Ash Christensen out for a golden duck via LBW. Christensen’s replacement Gary Robson was also quick to be dismissed, facing just five balls before he was clean bowled by Patrick Miller for duck. With no-one in the Wanderer’s top half of the order able to get above 10 runs, Voda van der Merwe stepped in to slog 39 not out off 45 balls and bring the total to 98. South Hedland didn’t make it easy for themselves despite only needing 99 runs, losing six wickets — including three ducks — on their way to victory. With the league now at the halfway point, Port Hedland look destined to repeat previous years’ success as they sit eight-points clear at the top of the table. Heading into round six, South Hedland will look to reduce the gap-at-the-top to just four points, should they topple Port, while Miners will hope for their first win of the season against the Lions, who have managed just a single win themselves.