NICHOLS Point kept their hold on fourth place with a strong 88-run win at home to Mildura East on Saturday in Sunraysia Cricket Association round 13.
Led by 87 runs from Kaushik Aphale, the Pointers recovered from a precarious 4/37 to set their opponents 202.
Aphale has battled fitness issues throughout the year but was moving freely and scoring at will in his typical classy style, although against a side without the injured Jhy Berry taking the new ball.
The Indian import shared in a 97-run partnership with vice-captain Will Liddle (34 not out), who showed a return to form with the bat to post his highest score in a number of years.
After Aphale went out on 160 and Cardross recruit Jereme Lewer fell with the score 161 it was looking like the Pointers’ innings may have been wrapped up quickly – however some spectacular late hitting from Raki Woetai (31 not out) pushed the score along.
Woetai’s knock included 28 off the last over of the innings, chancing his arm and clearing the boundary down the ground with ease.
Jayden Hunt (4/21 off eight overs) shouldered the load for East’s bowlers in the absence of Berry, with veteran Andrew Ross (2/27) also chipping in.
In the absence of captain Josh Berry, East were always going to be up against it chasing the total and fell to 4/38 before Vick Singh (35) and Brett Higgins (19) steadied the ship.
But Singh fell with the score 5/84 and Higgins went at 6/102 and the tail fell fairly quickly after that – East being all out for 114 in the 32nd over.
Pointers captain and former East star Brad Thomas claimed 3/14, with Lewer also taking 3/28.
Nichols Point move to 98.62 points for the year, clear of Mildura West in fifth on 77.86, but will have a tough away game at Mildura Settlers this weekend.
East remain seventh and play eighth-placed Coomealla Wentworth at home on Saturday.
Mildura West 9/196 d Coomealla Wentworth 101
MILDURA West kept well in the finals hunt with a strong 95-run win over Coomealla Wentworth at George Gordon Oval on Saturday.
Led by 40 not out from 42 balls by veteran Brandon Dixon, West had an even contribution throughout their batting line-up to post a good total of 9/196.
Captain-coach Chris Williams and wicketkeeper-batsman Greg Lewis posted 33 each and import Will Parsons 28, while opener Ben Hallam also got a start with 19.
Blues skipper Justin Freeman, youngster Zac Hancock and Bevan Wade took two wickets apiece for their side.
In response, a steady 54 from Coomealla Wentworth opener Luke Cullinan contributed more than half his team’s total, with Michael Hilliard’s 22 the only other score in double digits – Coomealla Wentworth all out for 101.
West import Aaron Feroz took 3/10 for the best bowling return.
Workers Gol Gol 9/180 d Merbein South 7/155
WORKERS Gol Gol did what was required to claim a 25-run win over Merbein South at Alcheringa.
Wade Hancock top scored with 73 for the hosts, with Jesse McGinty adding 40 as Workers Gol Gol posted 9/180.
Tony Trinick’s 4/51 was the best return of the Merbein South bowlers.
In response, Hamim Miah (42) and veteran Mark White (35) were able to get the runs going but after that the Saints were only able to get starts with the bat against an even Workers Gol Gol bowling attack and finished on 7/155 at the end of the innings.
Matt Cameron, Nick Jensen and Sheldon Calarco took two wickets apiece for their side.
HIGHLIGHTS
‘First Division
Batting
Kaushik Aphale (Nichols Point) – 87 runs
Wade Hancock (Workers Gol Gol) – 73 runs
Luke Cullinan (Coomealla Wentworth) – 54 runs off 106 balls
Second Division
Batting
Riley Payne (Irymple) – 51 runs off 95 balls
Bowling
Stefan Knudsen (Mildura West) – 5/16 off eight overs
Third Division
Batting
David Martin (Workers Gol Gol) – 99 runs
Jeremy Giddings (Coomealla Wentworth) –64 not out
Fourth Division
Bowling
Owen Lehmann (Irymple) – 5/23 off six overs
Dusty Geister (Irymple) – 5/24 off 5.1 overs
