GOL Gol batter Wade Hancock continued his fine form with an unbeaten score of 141 against Merbein at Chaffey Park.
It was a crucial innings for Gol Gol who ended day one at 9/302.
Hancock made easy work of Merbein’s bowlers, facing 207 balls and hitting 21 boundaries on a path to his highest score of the season.
Tony and Shane Trinnick claimed five wickets for their side while import Ben Green struggled.
After a strong start to the season, his figures at the end of the day were 0/86 off 16 overs.
At McLeod Oval, the undefeated Nichols Point had a solid start against Coomealla Wentworth.
Shannon Bowen (93 runs), Shaun Matthews (61 runs) and Riley Jobson (57 runs) shouldered the load for the away team who finished 7/269 at stumps.
Coomealla Wentworth were excited after Dion Harris ran out opener Nick Blacker who scored just eight runs for Nichols Point.
But despite some cheap dismissals, the home team weren’t able to capitalise on their early momentum.
Liam Freeman claimed 3/105, a good effort given he bowled 34 overs for his team.
Over at the Mildura Sporting Precinct, Mildura East had a strong first week against Mildura West.
East captain Andrew Ross had an impressive day with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/52.
West started their day well but slowed down once captain Gregory Lewis was run out for a duck followed by another duck from Taj Hill not long after.
At stumps, West were 8/146.
In the other match, Irymple look to be on target for a win over Mildura Settlers.
Captain Mark Thomson (106 runs) scored his first century of the season, which helped his team accumulate a total of 269 all out.
Jason Morrison claimed three wickets for Settlers but was dismissed cheaply by Billy Phelan, who struck four times in just four overs for Irymple.
Three Settlers players were dismissed for a duck.
At 4/2 in just eight overs, they continued their season’s struggle.
