Sunraysia Cricket Association Rounds 6 and 7: Blues win a night thriller

COOMEALLA Wentworth caused the upset of the round, defeating Workers Gol Gol with one ball to spare in a thriller at Alcheringa Oval on Friday night.

Batting first, Workers got off to a great start with openers Shac Thomas and Ben McPhee putting on 88, before Thomas was caught for 50 off 49 balls.

McPhee played a patient inn­ings before being forced to retire hurt on 33.

Captain Adam Thomson was in an aggressive frame of mind, blasting unbeaten 28 from 13 balls and guided his side to what looked like a winning total of 4/134.

But Coomie had other ideas and, despite losing opener Mitchell Kemp early, they were always on the pace thanks to some attacking batting by Darby McLean (25),­ ­Bevan Wade (44) and Liam Freeman (25).

Mildura Settlers 0/70 d Mildura East 69

MILDURA Settlers had little trouble accounting for Mildura East at City Oval.

Batting second, the visitors didn’t lose a wicket in reaching East’s total of 69. 

John Pratt (34 not out) and ­Paddy Keogh (26 not out) led the way with the bat.

Brad Grant was the unlikely hero for Mildura Settlers with the ball, finishing with 5/3 off his three overs.

Mildura West 119 d Nichols Point 9/92

NICHOLS Point suffered their third successive loss when they failed to chase down Mildura West’s 119 at John Hall Oval.

The Pointers were ­expected to win but were never able to get themselves into the contest.

Mildura West set the tone early after winning the toss and batting.

Will Parsons led the way for the home side with an aggressive 49 off 46 balls and while he received ­little support, West still managed to reach 119 despite being bowled out in the final over.

Coach Mathews was the pick of the of the Nichols Point bowlers, finishing with 3/18 off 3.4 overs.

The Pointers’ run chase was always in trouble when they lost skipper Brad Thomas for 12 and, despite 15 from Glen Bridson in the middle order, could manage only 9/92 off their 20 overs.

Mildura West’s new recruit ­Thanura Rajapakse did the damage with the ball, finishing with the impressive figures of 4/18.

Irymple 91 d Merbein South 67

MERBEIN South’s batsmen have again let their side down against ladder leaders Irymple.

Bowling first, the Saints were well on top, dismissing the home side for 91 in the 18th over. But their joy was shortlived as the Swallows’ attack ripped through South’s line-up, dismissing them for 67.

Bailey Anderson did the damage finishing with 4/10.

Irymple 2/109 d Mildura Settlers 3/108

IRYMPLE proved too strong for an undermanned Mildura Settlers at Henshilwood Oval.

Batting first, Setts reached a respectable 3/108, John Pratt (37) and Paddy Keogh (29) doing best for the visitors.

But with a number of their key bowlers absent because of Jason Morrison’s wedding, Setts were unable to contain the Swallows’ strong batting line-up.

Bryson Lush (37) and skipper Jordan Payne (33 not out) led the way as Irymple reached their target with over four overs to spare.

Workers Gol Gol 3/109 d Merbein South 5/106

AFTER their shock loss on Friday night, Workers Gol Gol returned to the winners’ list, defeating Merbein South at Chaffey Park.

Batting first, the Saints posted a respectable 5/106 off their 20 overs with captain Ethan Gray, who finished with 52, in good form.

But with Shac Thomas (33) and Wade Hancock (55 not out) Workers reached their target in the 19th over.

Nichols Point 3/124 d Mildura East 6/74

NICHOLS Point got back on the winners’ list, defeating Mildura East comfortably at City Oval.

With Nichols Point captain Brad Thomas and Shaun Mathews playing for the first time against their old side, this game was expected to provide plenty of interest, but the Pointers were just too strong.

Mathews led the way with an unbeaten 62, while Thomas chipped in with a handy 36.

Thomas also captured 2/9 to continue his great start to the season.

Mildura West 5/107 d Coomealla Wentworth 4/106

IN the other game of the round, Mildura West scored their second win for the weekend, defeating Coomealla Wentworth.

The win has moved West to within one game of the top four.

Chris Williams was the star for the home side, finishing with 53.