A WEEK is a long time in cricket.
Seven days after a batting capitulation against Nichols Point threatened to dash Mildura West’s finals chances in the SCA, a dominant day on Saturday at Chaffey Park against Merbein South has Chris Williams’ side well and truly back in the mix.
West have already secured first-innings points and a 101-run lead after bowling the Saints out for 119 in the 36th over and making 6/220 in 45 overs.
Should West secure an outright victory this weekend on the final day of the minor round, they will gather 20 points for the result, plus any bonus points from their performance.
Having started the round 20.9 points behind fourth-placed Nichols Point, who have set ladder leaders Settlers a competitive total, West are a legitimate chance to leapfrog the Pointers if Settlers rein in their 191.
“We’ve got where we want to be by the end of (this) week in our minds,” Williams said.
“Clearly last week’s result (against Nichols Point) was very disappointing but we had another opportunity to show what we can do, and we knew going into the game it was to try to get an outright victory against Merbein South in the last game of the season for them.
“Their second team are looking to push into finals so we knew there’d be an opportunity for us if we played the right cricket.
“The batting performance last Saturday was far too negative, it was far too defensive, and we weren’t able to put any pressure on the Nichols Point bowlers in any way and it was a pretty feeble batting effort.
“The fact we were able to be a lot more positive, we believe in our abilities when we are more positive, and we can put some pressure back on a bowling unit trying to force as much of a lead as we could on the first innings by the end of the day’s play.”
All five of West’s bowlers got in on the act in Merbein South’s innings, with Luke Hickey’s 4/35 the standout, before Ben Hallam scored a patient 69 and Williams himself hit 52 as West took control of proceedings with the bat.
Merbein South import Cam Grimwood made a quick 45 off 34 balls for the Saints to lead their batting before taking 4/37 with the ball to ensure he could hold his head up after a torrid day for his team.
Irymple 9/265 v Workers Gol Gol
Alcheringa Oval
A CENTURY from skipper Jordan Payne has Irymple in a good position against Workers Gol Gol.
In the battle for second spot the Swallows posted 9/265, with Payne’s 103 off 196 balls leading the charge.
Dan Coghlan scored 81 to help push the score along.
Shac Thomas shone with the ball, taking 6/47, which helped keep Workers Gol Gol in the game; however, against a strong Irymple bowling attack Saturday’s run chase will be tough.
Coomealla Wentworth 134 v Mildura East 4/42
George Gordon Oval
THE battle for the wooden spoon is evenly poised at George Gordon Oval with East 4/42 in response to Coomealla Wentworth’s 134.
East veteran Andrew Ross took 5/51 to help restrict the hosts.
East faced 23 overs at the end of the day with Liam Freeman taking a pair of scalps and Bevan Wade one and a run out contributing to a shaky start to the chase.
The loser of this match claims the wooden spoon.
Nichols Point 191 v Mildura Settlers
Nichols Point Reserve
NICHOLS Point held up their end in their quest to make a maiden First Division finals campaign with 191 against Settlers at home.
Middle-order batsman Tyson Giles scored 40 and opener Dean Fulco 38 to lead their team’s batting effort.
Brayden Wood took 3/21 for Setts.
Highlights
First Division
Batting
Jordan Payne (Irymple) – 103
Dan Coghlan (Irymple) – 81
Ben Hallam (Mildura West) – 69
Chris Williams (Mildura West) – 52
Bowling
Shacaya Thomas (Workers Gol Gol) – 6/47
Andrew Ross (Mildura East) – 5/51
Second Division
Batting
Jono Belej (Mildura East) – 109
Brinder Singh (Mildura East) – 74
Brendan Giddings (Merbein South) – 74 not out
Third Division
Batting
Josh Coates (Mildura Settlers) – 206 not out
Brendan Rodgers (Mildura Settlers) – 137
Jeremy Giddings (Coomealla Wentworth) – 71
Jason Cullinan (Coomealla Wentworth) – 52
Fourth Division
Batting
Jatinder Singh (Mildura East) – 86
Nik Wade (Workers Gol Gol) – 69
Raghbir Singh (Mildura East) – 53
Bowling
Cam Holland (Merbein South) – 6/16
Andrew Myers (Mildura Settlers) – 5/29
Justin Merret (Irymple) – 5/34
