MILDURA West are poised to snatch a season-defining win in the race to the Sunraysia Cricket Association First Division finals after a strong day one of round 17 against Nichols Point on Saturday.
West are 2/15 in the run chase after their bowlers, led by Aaron Feroz’s 6/75 off 32 overs, smothered Nichols Point, who were all out for 133 in 65 overs after being sent in by West captain-coach Chris Williams.
“It would have been nice to have not lost those couple of wickets in the evening,” Williams said.
“Then it would have been a very pleasing position to be in. I still think we probably had the better of the day – just, runs on the board are important but the conditions when we started – I’m never a big fan of winning the toss and bowling – but with the conditions we were all confident that was the best way to approach it at that stage.
“I suppose if you offered us 130 all out it probably justified winning the toss and bowling but we are only halfway through the game.”
If West are able to claim the win they will leapfrog the Pointers into fourth spot with one game of the minor rounds to play.
“We’ve got a big week next week to make sure we stay in control and if we can get those runs and turn in a performance we’ve been building towards then the rewards will be there and we will move on,” Williams said.
“But we’ve obviously got a big run chase and we expect Nichols Point to fight hard, we’re still confident with the batting line-up we’ve got we should be able to get those runs and get the win, but we are well aware there’s still a bit of work to be done for sure.”
Williams praised import Feroz, who got his just rewards for keeping things tight with his haul – going at about two an over with 11 maidens.
“We’ve never doubted Aaron’s ability with ball in hand, he lives for his cricket and loves bowling and once he got on a roll and some confidence then it was going to be hard to get the ball off him.
“He put the ball in some good areas, early on with a hard ball and a pronounced seam he was getting some good turn and bounce and that allowed us to attack the Nichols Point batsmen with players around the bat and create chances.
“It was a team effort and not one bowler let the side down in that regard, it was a good effort – we’ve got a fairly strong and varied bowling attack with a couple of spinners and three or four medium pacers with different traits.”
For the Pointers, import Kaushik Aphale played almost a lone hand with 54 runs from 68 balls while the returning Glen Bridson made a solid 34 from 137 balls in his first match for the club since before Christmas.
Thomson bails out Workers
AN unbeaten 143 from captain-coach Adam Thomson spared Workers Gol Gol’s blushes against lowly Coomealla Wentworth at Alcheringa on Saturday.
Thomson came in with his side 5/65 in the all-New South Wales showdown, looking in trouble after Justin Freeman, Marcus Parker and Bevan Wade ran through the second-placed side’s top and middle order.
But with plenty of time to bat, Thomson was able to settle things down, finishing the day not out after 167 balls and getting his side to 8/276 at the close of play.
His ton included 14 boundaries and two sixes, and a good partnership with Nick Jensen of 55 with the latter making 16, Tyson Adamson (44 runs – Adamson 11), 59 with Jesse McGinty (McGinty – 31) and then 53 with Matt Cameron (Cameron – nine not out off only 12 balls).
He finished with a flurry, with Workers Gol Gol taking 24 off the final two overs of the day – 23 of those from the blade of Thomson.
Wade returned figures of 3/53, with Parker 2/45 and captain Freeman 2/49.
Liam Freeman was the only other successful bowler with 1/49.
A win sealed this weekend would keep Workers Gol Gol in the box seat for a top-two placing, while Coomealla Wentworth will be just looking to battle the year out after a tough 2019-20 campaign.
Irymple 6/288 dec. v Merbein South 4/32
Henshilwood Reserve
A BRISK century from opener Bryson Lush and an inspired opening spell from Chase Stone has Irymple well in front at home to Merbein South.
Lush started the day fortuitously, with a Shane Trinick delivery clipping his off stump but failing to dislodge the bail when he was on nought, but pressed on to score 137 from 146 balls in a quality display.
The tall right hander hit 15 boundaries in his knock before becoming the fourth wicket of the day with the score 265.
Dan Coghlan kept the scorers busy himself with seven fours and four sixes in his 85 off 106 balls to be the next top scorer – Jordan Payne declaring the Swallows’ innings on 6/288 after 60 overs.
Stuart Watson took 3/48 for the Saints, who in reply found themselves in early trouble.
Josh Carmichael started promisingly with 15 off nine before he was caught by Stone off the bowling of Mark Thomson, before Stone took the next three wickets in quick succession to have 3/24 for the day.
The Saints were only able to add another 16 runs between Carmichael going out and the close of play.
Captain Ethan Gray remains at the crease, yet to score off 32 balls while veteran Mark White has two runs off 30 deliveries.
Mildura Settlers 254 v Mildura East 2/19
Brian Weightman Oval
TOP side Settlers are well on the way to claiming the points against Mildura East after a solid batting display.
Skipper Braidyn Turner fell agonisingly short of a century, bowled by Jhy Berry for 98, while Mark Cleary (35), Seamus Keogh (30) and John Pratt (24) all got starts for Settlers.
Young tearaway Jayden Hunt took 4/53 from 15 overs for East, with Berry claiming 3/50.
In response Lochie Symes and Charlie Berry are the men out, Berry run out for a duck and Symes falling to Jason Morrison for three.
Skipper Josh Berry is unbeaten on four with Brett Higgins on two the other not out batsman.
