GOL Gol held off a keen challenge from Coomealla Wentworth to win the NSW derby and push themselves into the SCA top four at Alcheringa Oval on Saturday.
In benign conditions, the hosts amassed an impressive 192 for nine in their 40 overs, and then bowled out the Blues for 169 in the 38th.
Gol Gol got off to a shaky start with openers Adam Thomson and Shacaya Thomas back in the sheds with a combined run between them and quick Justin Freeman (2-25) threatening to tear through the top order.
But first drop Wade Hancock’s 83 off 98 balls, including nine boundaries, and lower order support from Jeremy Barnes (33) and Matthew Cameron (29) saw them set an imposing total their neighbours just couldn’t rake in.
Skipper Luke Cullinan made an undefeated 52, No.3 Liam Freeman 33, Bevan Wade a hard-fought 25 and Alston Cook a quick fire 22 but they could never quite break the shackles. Particularly applied by Derek Underwood-like spinners Thomas, who finished with impressive figures of 4-34, and miserly Thamura Rajapakse (1-28 off eight).
Gol Gol captain Thomson was relieved after the game to get his team back to a 2-2 record and climb into the top four.
“Being one and two coming into the game wasn’t ideal, and I’m not sure if we have lost two in a row in four or five years, but it’s definitely good to get back on the winners’ list,” Thomson said.
“Wade was in great form. He probably started the season a bit slowly by his own standards but it’s good to have him back in form. The bowling has been pretty solid this year, I just think we haven’t given them enough runs to play with.
“Shac Thomas taking another four wickets was great. He and Tham were really able to pull them back after they got off to a fast start.”
On the southern side of the river, Mildura West knocked unbeaten hosts Nichols Point off their perch – chasing down a target of 161 with four and a bit overs to spare.
Electing to bat first, the Pointers recovered from a wobbly start to reach 5-160 with middle order bats Shannon Bowen (45 not out) and skipper Dean Fulco (40) doing the bulk of the scoring while West captain Chris Williams claimed 2-41 off eight overs.
West’s successful chase was led by Joseph Smallman (44 not out), Williams (31) and undefeated Joe Fleri (26). Jarrod Forrester impressed with the ball picking up 3-24.
At Mildura Sporting Precinct, Mildura East ripped through the Settlers’ batting line-up for a meagre 115. Ryan Muir led the charge with 3-15 with solid support from Jake Wright (2-14) and Jayden Hunt (2-22). Vick Singh (35) and Thomas Callipari (25) showed some fight with the bat for Setts.
Opener Liam Naylor’s undefeated 69 off 55 balls saw East stroll to the target with almost 20 overs left.
Meanwhile, bottom of the table Merbein gave Irymple one hell of a fright at Henshilwood Oval.
The visitors amassed 9-149 from their 40 overs and it took the reigning champs all of 39.4 overs to chase that down.
Openers captain Mark Thomson (34) and Riley Payne (58) got the Swallows off to a breezy start but they were made to struggle mightily in middle and late overs.
Vice-captain Dillon Furze top scored for the Magpies with 44 while Tyler Garraway (4-29) and Bailey Anderson (3-16) starred with the ball for the other birds.
