AN unbeaten century to Workers Gol Gol’s Wade Hancock was the highlight of Saturday’s Sunraysia Cricket Association double-header round.
Last season’s joint Innes Medallist blasted 102 off 76 balls with nine fours and four sixes at Chaffey Park against Merbein South to lead his team to 2/166 in their second match of the day.
In response, Merbein South were held to 8/82 from their 20 overs with Jackson Malycha’s 20 (CHECK) their best effort with the bat.
Seven of the eight Workers Gol Gol bowlers used took a wicket, with Muhummad Haidry’s 2/13 from four overs the leading figures.
Earlier in the day, Workers Gol Gol had a 14-run with over Mildura West, with Shac Thomas’ 30 the top score in his side’s 6/134.
West coach Davison Mbindi took 2/7.
In response, West were bowled out for 99 in the last over of the match.
Lauchy Wade took 3/17 while Brandon Dixon made 34 off 24 balls for West to lead their batting.
Merbein South fell to Settlers in their opener by eight wickets
The Saints started well and were 0/41 with a ball left in the sixth over, before stand-in skipper Hamim Miah found the hands of Jason Morrison off the bowling of Callen Hickey to fall for 22 off 20 balls.
From there they only scored 51 more runs, with Aaron Walder’s 31 off 39 the only noteworthy score.
Morrison picked up 3/14.
In reply, Settlers got home in the 15th over with Luke Stanbrook (34), Jason Morrison (32) and captain Braidyn Turner (22 not out) all chipping in (CHECK).
At Nichols Point, Leigh Thomson-Mathews’ 84 not out off 51 balls helped the hosts to a six-wicket win against Mildura East in the second match of the day at the ground.
The entertaining opener rode his luck at times with several catches dropped or falling between fielders but punished any bad ball with six fours and five sixes, including one clean strike over mid-off to take his side past East’s total with nine balls to spare.
He was supported by 17 runs from captain Brad Thomas, Tyson Giles with 16 and coach and brother Shaun Mathews 14 not out.
Vick Singh had clubbed three fours and three sixes for 63 off 31 balls to help East to a competitive 5/136.
Nash Richman and Thomas took two wickets apiece.
Earlier, Nichols Point fell 17 runs short of Irymple.
Batting first, the Swallows made 8/134 from their 20 overs, with captain Mark Thomson’s 44 off 40 the highlight.
Young leggie Riley Jobson took his first three wickets at First Division level, with 3/20 off four overs to be his side’s best bowler.
In response, Nichols Point were bowled out for 117 in the final over of the match. Shaun Mathews made a quick 31 off 18 to give his side some hope in the middle order.
Dan Coghlan, Dean Fairlie and Bryson Lush took two wickets each for Irymple.
Irymple’s second match of the day was an easier affair with a nine-wicket win over Coomealla Wentworth.
Fairlie took 3/17 as the Swallows held their hosts at George Gordon Oval to just 7/84 – Bevan Wade top scoring with 25 – then Coghlan made an unbeaten 53 off 46 to see his side pass the required total in the 14th over.
Earlier, Coomealla Wentworth had an eight-wicket home win over Mildura East.
Cam Douglass took 3/23 for the Blues, with Josh Berry making 26 not out for East.
Mitch Kemp scored 45 for Coomealla Wentworth in their run chase.
At John Hall Oval, Settlers won by 71 over Mildura West.
Skipper Braidyn Turner led the way with 43 off 33 balls, while Brandon Dixon took 2/23 for West.
Callen Hickey starred with the ball for Settlers, taking 4/18 as West were held to 6/96 from their 20 overs.
Jayden Zanoni top scored with 27.
