WITH six rounds to go until the Sunraysia Cricket Association finals, today’s trip to Mildura Senior College to face the reigning premier Mildura Settlers is perhaps a last chance for Nichols Point.
The Pointers sit two wins behind fourth-placed Coomealla Wentworth and a game and a half behind fifth-placed Mildura West.
Barring something extraordinary, their slim finals hopes would just about be snuffed out regardless of what happens in Irymple v Coomealla Wentworth should West do as expected against Merbein South and they lose today against Setts.
It will all come down to mathematics, and some results going their way, but a disappointing season is not quite lost yet for the visitors.
However, they have a difficult task today minus three of their better pace bowlers in Daniel Chapman, Luke Coates and the injured Jack Norton.
Coming into the side is Matt Boyd, back from suspension, debutant Miguel Ilardi, grandson of 1961 Brownlow medallist and former Robinvale football coach John James, and young all-rounder Riley Jobson.
Carmine Cavallaro is the other to come into the line-up after a five-wicket performance in Second Division last week, with last week’s debutant Lewis Dichiera coming out.
Settlers are also short-handed with a makeshift opening partnership today.
Fresh off a century last weekend, Jason Morrison is out, while Luke Stanbrook is also yet to return.
Jack Noonan comes into the side, as does Will Rodgers with youngster Liam Goss also out.
Settlers are a game clear in third but two games behind Workers Gol Gol in second.
While they haven’t hit the heights of what was expected from the modern-day powerhouse the club has been, they are still a top side and have plenty of quality names such as captain-coach Braidyn
Turner, the veterans Richie Wyld and Mark Kerr, and Paddy and Seamus Keogh.
