A JOEL Minter hat-trick and four wickets for Billy Phelan helped Irymple secure a barnstorming victory in the Sunraysia Cricket Association grand final replay against Gol Gol.
The defending champions were dismissed for 117 while chasing 243 for victory, an innings that included rare ducks for Wade Hancock and Adam Thomson.
Gol Gol have surrendered the early season top spot on the ladder to Nichols Point, who are the only undefeated side after three games.
After Mark Thomson’s 93 set them up last week, Irymple wanted a fast start against the batting powerhouse of Gol Gol, and their prayers were answered when Phelan knocked over Aidan Calarco (5) and Hancock in consecutive deliveries.
Following a marathon bowling performance last week, Shac Thomas (42) alongside Sheldon Calarco (35) did their best to steady the ship but couldn’t stop the wickets falling.
Minter, in his maiden first division game for Irymple since joining from Mildura West, cleaned up the tail, first getting Kain Berryman (8) caught, before dismissing Than Rajapakse and debutant Harvinder Singh to complete the hat-trick.
Both sides sit in a log jam from second to fifth on the ladder of teams with two wins and a loss.
Meanwhile, half-centuries to coach Josh Berry and Englishman Josh Bowyer guided Mildura East to a two-wicket victory over Coomealla Wentworth at MSP.
Bowyer’s 60, after resuming play on 21, got the hosts off to a solid start, and despite requiring 20 with two players left, Berry (63 not out) and Zane Hunt (17) got them over the line.
Bevan Wade was the pick of the Blues bowlers with 3-43 from 20 overs, Justin and Liam Freeman also taking two wickets.
East currently sit in fourth position but face a tough task against Gol Gol next round.
Mildura West are also 2-1 after securing a 123-run victory over Mildura Settlers at John Hall Oval.
Chasing 272 after a Kian Burns century and Josh Driscoll 50 for West the previous week, Setts, minus Jason Morrison, were never able to get going.
Young opener Will O’Connor was impressive with a gritty 47 from 162 deliveries, Richie Wyld adding 31 in the middle order.
West newcomer Akil Donithreddy has seven wickets in three games after a miserly 3-15 from 14 overs, while young spinner Jack Probert and English import Ismail Baharami each took two scalps.
Burns got a further boost to his aggregate making an unbeaten 41 as West added another 1-78 in eight overs.
Following on from his unbeaten century on day one, Point star Shannon Bowen took two early wickets as his side won by 109 runs over Merbein at Chaffey Park.
Bowen’s 2-7 at the top of the order had the Magpies on the back foot and captain Shaun Mathews took control from there taking 3-11 from 20 overs, including 13 maidens.
Despite the best efforts of Tony Trnick (39) and Josh Stanley (31), Merbein were all out for 122 chasing 232, Harry Tonzing and Liam Milton also taking two wickets each for Point.
