MILDURA Settlers Richie Wyld is a big occasion player and he proved it again at the weekend with a five-wicket haul against Mildura West to help steer his side into another Sunraysia Cricket Association First Division grand final.
Bowling into a stiff breeze at Mildura Senior College, the veteran off-spinner was at his brilliant best taking 5/30 off 19 overs as Mildura West were dismissed just after tea for 159 off 54 overs.
Wyld bowled beautifully, beating the bat on many occasions as he used great variation to deceive the West batsmen.
The off-spinner has enjoyed another great season. His ability to perform on the big stage has been one of his trademarks in an outstanding career.
Seamus Keogh also stood up, providing great support to Wyld.
Keogh finished the day with 4/55 off 15 overs and has found form at the right end of the season.
The young paceman extracted plenty of life out of the wicket and with a strong breeze at his back kept the West batsmen on their toes.
Jason Morrison’s return to form with the bat had Setts cruising in their run chase, but when he was caught by Will Parsons off Luke Hickey for 59 it signalled the start of a mini collapse which saw Setts lose 5/2.
It was then up to skipper Braidyn Turner (21) to steady the ship, but when he became Aaron Feroz’s third wicket, the reigning premiers were struggling at 7/130.
But as they did with the ball, Wyld and Keogh combined to guide Setts home and book a berth in this weekend’s grand final against Workers Gol Gol.
Wyld was the general, controlling the situation while Keogh threw caution to the wind, smashing 25 off 22 deliveries as Setts passed Mildura West total in the 41st over.
Keogh and Wyld then used their time at the crease for some valuable batting practice ahead of this weekend’s showdown.
Wyld was unbeaten on 44 while Keogh showed little respect for West’s attack smashing 62 off 58 deliveries, which included six boundaries and three sixes before Turner called a close on play just before 3pm yesterday.
Luke Hickey was again the pick of West’s bowlers finishing with 4/42 off 16 overs while Feroz took 3/76.
HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST DIVISION
Richie Wyld (Mildura Settlers) 5/30 and 44 not out
Wade Hancock (Workers Gol Gol) 76
Dean Farlie (Irymple) 5/69
Seamus Keogh (Mildura Settlers) 4/55 and 62 not out
Will Parsons (Mildura West) 49
SECOND DIVISION
Ryan Muir (Irymple) 7/22
Daniel Frasca (Irymple) 99
David Flippi (Irymple) 74 not out
Andrew Clark (Mildura Settlers) 63
Matt O’Connor (Merbein South) 4/41
THIRD DIVISION
Brad Martin (Merbein South) 76
Harrison Ryan (Irymple) 4/53
Keegan MacDonald (Mildura Settlers) 4/43
David Martin (Workers Gol Gol) 67
FOURTH DIVISION
Andrew Parker (Coomealla Wentworth) 7/48
Shannon Allen (Merbein South) 4/28
Christopher Moyle (Workers Gol Gol) 56
Hancock to the fore again
WADE Hancock has scored almost 800 runs this season, but none have been more valuable than his 76 on Saturday to set up Workers Gol Gol’s win over Irymple and advance them to this year’s Sunraysia Cricket Association grand final.
Batting at three, the classy upper-order batsman was at his brilliant best as Workers put themselves in a strong position on the opening day of their semi-final at Alcheringa Oval.
Workers started the day well with skipper Adam Thomson winning the toss and electing to bat.
Thanks to solid contributions from Simon Groves (40), Thomson (46) and Joshua Deren (21) Workers were able to finish the day at 8/238.
Irymple started their chase well yesterday with openers Bryson Lush and Jeremy Graham putting on 42 before Graham (27) became Nick Jensen’s first scalp of the day.
Disaster then struck when captain Jordan Payne was sent on his way without scoring and when they lost another two quick wickets, including Dan Coghlan for a duck, the momentum was with Workers.
Billy Phelan (32) and Jarrad Armsden (41 not out) showed some resistance, but there was little they could do to stop Workers as they charged towards another showdown with Mildura Settlers this weekend in the grand final.
Aidan Calarco was hero with the ball for Workers.
Introduced as the fourth bowler, at one point he had taken 3/3 off three overs before finishing with 3/18 off seven.
Jensen provided great support taking 3/18 as Irymple were dismissed for 139.
The win gives Thomson and his side a chance at redemption this weekend in the SCA decider.
Unlike last season, they are carrying plenty of momentum into the game and they will also have the advantage of playing on their home ground.
