IRYMPLE quick Ryan Muir’s five-wicket haul has put his side in the box seat to consolidate second spot on the ladder after the first of a two-day clash with Mildura Settlers on Saturday.
The 37-year-old opened the season well, but has hit a flat spot since Christmas as, by his own admission, age catches up with him.
However, on return from Country Week representative duties with Sunraysia, he captured 5/11 off 10.4 overs to help dismiss Setts for 91 at Mildura Senior College.
In reply, Irymple were 3/93 at stumps.
“Coming back from Country Week, I started off a bit stiff and sore, but it was nice to have everything come together again,” Muir said.
“The ball was doing a bit and I was able to take advantage of the conditions.
“Probably through a bit of tiredness, I’ve lost a couple of yards (of pace) since Christmas.
“But I felt I like had good rhythm (on Saturday) and it was good to get back in the wickets again.”
Asked whether his team was likely to push for an outright victory on day two, Muir said: “It’d be nice, but it’d also be good for the boys to have a bat for a while”.
He said the club’s First XI was shaping up well for next month’s finals.
“We’re still an improving team,” Muir said.
“Bryson (Lush) is hitting some good form, and Marky Thomson is still making good runs and taking wickets too. We also have some absolutely ripping kids stepping up.
“I feel we’re playing consistently good cricket and we get the big fella (Chase Stone) back next game.
“I think our best cricket is still ahead of us this season.”
At Chaffey Park, strong lower-order resistance from Charlie Walker (65) and Shane Driscoll (50 not out) helped fourth-placed Mildura West post a total of 218.
Veteran Shane Trinick took 5/51 for the hosts.
Elsewhere, Mildura East were bowled out for 141 at Nichols Point.
Luke Coates took 5/32 for the third-placed Pointers, who finished day one at 1/80 with Leigh Thomson-Mathews 42 not out.
At Alcheringa Oval, ladder leaders Gol Gol notched 270 off their 80 overs against fifth-placed Coomealla Wentworth.
Tyson Adamson top-scored with 63 and Adam Thomson made 61.
Prolific run scorer Wade Hancock was dismissed for 25, but he is still averaging 135.6 in First Division this season.
