Mildura West 9/91 (dec) d Irymple 85 and 0/11
MILDURA West kept in touch with the Sunraysia Cricket Association First Division top four with a win over ladder leaders Irymple at John Hall Oval on Saturday
The win has announced West as a genuine finals contenders and put them just one win behind fourth-placed Nichols Points.
In a low-scoring match, Irymple won the toss and elected to bat but were in trouble early, losing opener Bryson Lush for one, the first of Aaron Feroz’s five wickets.
Feroz’s performance proved a match-winner for the home side, the talented orthodox off-spinner picking up 5/45 off 19 overs, his best return since joining Mildura West as one of their international recruits this season.
Westies needed to win this game to stay in touch with the leading group of teams and while Feroz’s effort was the highlight of the match, it was a good even effort from Chris Williams and his improving side.
Irymple’s best performance came from opening bowler Bailey Anderson, who finished with 4/22 off his 12 overs, while Jordan Payne made a solid 25, the best score of any batsman in the match.
Locke Thornton was another who toiled hard for the Swallows, finishing with 3/17.
Mildura Settlers 6/194 d Workers Gol Gol 9/161
REIGNING premiers Mildura Settlers jumped to the top of the SCA ladder with a comfortable win over Workers Gol Gol at Mildura Senior College.
The win was made even more impressive given Setts were missing a number of their stars.
Jason Morrison and veteran Mark Cleary, two of their most experienced and talented players, were both absent.
But despite this, the home side were never troubled. Veteran off-spinner Richie Wyld led the way with 5/58 off 14 overs and 32 not out off 24 balls, while new recruit John Pratt produced his best batting performance of the season with 58 off 84 deliveries.
Luke Stanbrook also found form, producing a solid 44 from 54 balls in the middle order to help set Mildura Settlers’ impressive first innings total of 8/186 off their 40 overs.
Workers never looked like reaching the target despite solid contributions from Wade Hancock (37), Adam Thomson (35) and Shac Thomas (29). The loss drops Workers to third, one game behind Setts and Irymple, who both have six wins from their eight matches.
Merbein South 8/186 d Mildura East 145
A CENTURY by Merbein South captain Ethan Gray led his side to a comfortable win over Mildura East.
Gray, who is enjoying a brilliant start to the season, scored 106 from just 109 deliveries, smashing seven boundaries and three sixes to help his side to 8/186 after being sent in to bat by their opposition.
The win has elevated the Saints to sixth position and keeps their finals aspirations alive. Another of the Saints’ veterans, Shane Trinick, was also in the action, taking 4/41 off 14 overs.
Trinick received great support from Stuart Watson, who chimed in with 4/31 off his five overs as Merbein South bundled East out for 145 in the 39th over, to clinch their second win for the year.
