Sixers' season on the brink after Scorchers defeat

Ellyse Perry was left cursing her decision to take a sneaky single as the Sydney Sixers crashed to a 61-run Weber WBBL loss to the Perth Scorchers at North Sydney Oval.

Star Scorchers opener Beth Mooney scored an unbeaten 91 off 57 balls in Thursday's clash to lift her team to a formidable 6-189.

Perry snared 2-26 with the ball, took two catches in the field and pulled off a direct-hit run out.

The 33-year-old then made a strong start with the bat, cracking five fours and two sixes to get the Sixers' run-chase off to a positive start.

But her decision to take a quick single after playing a shot to mid-off proved disastrous, with Piepa Cleary gathering the ball on the run and throwing down the stumps in the same action to find Perry metres short of her crease.

Perry's dismissal for 40 off 29 balls sparked a collapse of 6-37 as the Sixers crashed to defeat, bringing an end to their four-match winning run.

The result lifted the Scorchers (8-3) one game clear on top of the ladder, while the Sixers (5-6) are fifth and face a battle to make the finals with just three matches remaining. 

Perry sent the dangerous Sophie Devine packing for 12 with a run out as the Scorchers stumbled to 2-24 early in their innings.

But it was the Mooney show from that point on as the 29-year-old thumped nine fours and four sixes to dismantle the Sixers' attack.

Mooney has now scored 509 runs this season to lead the race for the Golden Bat.

"I'm happy with how I'm going, but it only counts if we get to those finals," Mooney told Fox Cricket after the match. 

"Hopefully we keep on a roll and humming along nicely. 

"It was an all-round Scorchers performance today. I thought our bowlers did an amazing job."

Erin Burns provided the highlight of the match when she dived at full length while running at pace to take a spectacular catch to dismiss Scorchers import Amy Jones for 28. 

The Sixers next face the Adelaide Strikers in another challenging encounter, while the Scorchers play fellow finals hopeful Sydney Thunder.

Weber WBBL|09 Standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Total points PTS
1 Adelaide Strikers Women STR	14	11	3	0	0	1.154	0	22
2 Perth Scorchers Women SCO	14	8	6	0	0	0.784	0	16
3 Brisbane Heat Women HEA	14	8	6	0	0	0.203	0	16
4 Sydney Thunder Women THU	14	7	6	0	1	0.298	0	15
5 Sydney Sixers Women SIX	14	7	7	0	0	-0.253	0	14
6 Hobart Hurricanes Women HUR	14	6	7	0	1	-0.597	0	13
7 Melbourne Stars Women STA	14	6	8	0	0	-0.779	0	12
8 Melbourne Renegades Women REN	14	2	12	0	0	-0.978	0	4

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

PTS: Total points