NICHOLS Point remain the only undefeated side after three rounds of the Sunraysia Cricket Association, earning a three-wicket win against Gol Gol in the final over of their clash at Alcheringa Oval.
The win is huge confidence boost for the Point, after being 2/14 early in the chase but young batters Riley Jobson (53) and Lewis Dichiera (37) helped guide them home, with Shaun Mathews scoring the winning run with three deliveries remaining to take them to 7/166.
Scott Withers impressed for Gol Gol with 3/33, while spinner Than Rajapakse took two scalps.
Earlier, Shacaya Thomas made 62, his second straight half-century, while Wade Hancock (43) and Tyson Adamson (37) also had solid knocks in Gol Gol’s 5/165.
Berri recruit Brad Rosenzweig continued his good form for the Pointers with 3/25.
Meanwhile, Irymple held off Mildura West by 43 runs in a day-night clash at Henshilwood Oval, with import Scott Steel producing a performance fit for his surname to get the Swallows over the line and push them up to second on the ladder.
The English all-rounder scored 72 from 62 deliveries as his side went to finish their overs at 5/185, well supported by 41 from captain Mark Thomson and 31 from fellow opener Riley Payne.
Jasper Presswell and Josh Driscoll continued their strong bowling form for West with two scalps each.
In response, West were all out for 142 despite another half-century from captain Chris Williams (51) and a solid 21 from Taj Hill.
Ben Wilkinson led all bowlers with 3/25 for the Swallows, Caleb Garraway and Thomson each claiming a couple.
At Mildura Senior College, Coomealla Wentworth earned their maiden win of the season with a strong eight-wicket victory over Mildura Settlers.
The Blues got off to the perfect start when last week’s century maker Jason Morrison was bowled by Justin Freeman in the very first delivery of the match.
Freeman would go on to take a brilliantly economical 3/8 from eight overs with four maidens as Setts were dismissed for 98.
Youngster Cooper Aldridge held up the middle order with an unbeaten 31, while captain Luke Stanbrook and Josh Coates each finished with 23.
Alongside Freeman, Bevan Wade and Mitch Kemp each took two wickets.
Coomealla Wentworth, despite losing Colby and Bevan Wade early, made light work of the chase, reaching 2/100 from 25.3 overs, with Liam Freeman (48) and captain Luke Cullinan (46) sharing an unbeaten 88-run stand.
Last year’s grand finalists Mildura East have won their first game of the season, as English import Josh Andrews and bowlers Ryan Muir and Jake Wright led them to 31-run win over Merbein at Kenny Park.
Despite losing early wickets, East recovered to finish on 8/159 from their 40 overs, Andrews leading the way with 62 from 65.
Magpies vice-captain Dillon Furze was the best of the bowlers with 3/40.
Merbein weren’t able to recover from being 4/32, and despite impressive middle order innings from Angus Smith (32) and Kurtis Fitzpatrick (31), they finished at 9/128.
Opening bowler Muir (3/13) and recruited spinner Wright (3/18) both impressed with the ball for East.
