IN an emotion-charged final round of Sunraysia cricket, Mildura West defied the odds and forced their way into the top four, securing a semi-final berth against Mildura Settlers.
West’s joy was mirrored by Nichols Points’ disappointment as they came agonisingly close to defeating reigning premiers and ladder leaders Mildura Settlers to retain fourth.
But nothing can be taken away from Mildura West who deserve their place in the finals after a dominant display against Merbein South.
Needing outright points to give themselves any chance of pushing past Nichols Point, West made their attentions clear before a ball had been bowled, when skipper Chris Williams declared at 6/220.
And his bowlers didn’t let him down.
Luke Hickey led the way, following on from his 4/35 in the first innings. He ripped through the Saints under-manned batting line-up, claiming 5/27.
Brandon Dixon provided the perfect foil, chipping in with 2/11 as Merbein South were bundled out for 74, 27 shy of forcing Mildura West to bat again.
The outright win meant Mildura West received 32.4 points, enough to move them ahead of Nichols Point, who needed to win or hope West did not get an outright.
Unfortunately for Nichols Point, who have occupied a spot in the top four for every round of the home-and-away season until the end of Saturday, neither scenario played out, ending what they had hoped would be their first finals appearance since re-joining the SCA’s First Division in 2015-2016.
It has been a dramatic turnaround for West this season and Saturday’s victory was almost a carbon copy of what happened 12 months ago when they also won outright over Merbein South. On that occasion the win helped them avoid the wooden spoon.
West now go into a cut-throat semi-final with Mildura Settlers at Mildura Senior College starting this weekend.
Mildura Settlers 7/197 d Nichols Point 191
FOR 17 of the 18 rounds of the Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) home-and-away season, Nichols Point had occupied a spot in the top four.
It looked like the new kids on the block were going to be rewarded for a season of hard work, a finals berth, their first since rejoining the SCA’s First Division in 2015-2016.
The scenario heading into Saturday’s final day of their two-day encounter was pretty simple – win and they couldn’t miss out on the finals, lose and they needed Merbein South to avoid losing outright to Mildura West.
Neither scenario played out, Merbein South were thrashed by West, bowled out for 74 in their second innings, and the Pointers couldn’t quite get the points against the reigning premiers.
But nothing can be taken away from Nichols Point, who were not without their chances against Mildura Settlers with only six runs separating the two sides at the close of play.
Nichols Point were in charge of the game early, having Setts in trouble at 4/35, but as he has done so often over the years, Mark Cleary steadied the ship and with some good support from John Pratt (25) and talented juniors Paddy (15) and Seamus Keogh (40), they were able to edge their way past Nichols Point’s first innings of 191.
Cleary top scored with a patient 63 off 115 balls and showed he will once again be an important part of Setts’ premiership hopes after missing last year’s flag.
For Nichols Point the season is over, but they can take plenty of confidence out of what they achieved under new coach Shaun Mathews and skipper Brad Thomas and although a finals berth would have been the icing on the cake, the foundations have now been laid for the club moving forward.
They were able to blood a number of young players, giving them valuable senior experience and, with a strong junior program in place, the future looks bright.
Workers Gol Gol 8/265 drew with Irymple 9/265
WORKERS Gol Gol and Irymple drew in the final round of the SCA home-and-away season, setting the scene for an exciting rematch in this week’s semi-final.
Chasing 265, Workers needed 14 off the last over to win.
A six off the second last ball by Jake Albrecht meant Workers needed just two runs from Bailey Anderson’s final delivery, but they could manage just a single, drawing the game in a fitting end to an exciting day of cricket.
Irymple looked to be in charge when Albrecht arrived at the crease with the home side struggling at 7/177, but a 63-run stand with Nick Jensen (41) put them back in striking distance.
Batting at No.9, Albrecht smashed six boundaries and one six off just 36 deliveries in his unbeaten 57, once again showing the batting depth of Workers.
Wade Hancock continued his great season, scoring 73, while Joshua Deren chipped in with a valuable 39.
Despite splitting the points, it was still enough for Workers Gol Gol to retain second position and secure a home semi-final.
Little has separated both sides in all formats of the game during the season and Saturday’s draw was another reflection of how evenly matched they are.
Coomealla Wentworth 9/134, 3/180 d Mildura East 99
COOMEALLA Wentworth have avoided the wooden spoon, defeating Mildura East comfortably in the final round.
The Blues moved off the bottom of the ladder, handing the dubious honour to East, who were dismissed for 99, adding just 47 runs to their 4/43 from the previous week.
It was a confidence-boosting end to an otherwise disappointing season for Coomealla Wentworth, who 12 months ago were preparing to play in the finals.
Liam Freeman was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 3/20 off 17 overs, while Zac Hancock chipped in with 3/6 off his three.
Highlights
FIRST DIVISION
Luke Hickey (Mildura West) 5/27
Wade Hancock (Workers Gol Gol) 73
Matt Job (Coomealla Wentworth) 69 not out
Justin Freeman (Coomealla Wentworth) 65 not out
Mark Cleary (Mildura Settlers) 63
Jake Albrecht (Workers Gol Gol) 57 not out
Nick Jensen (Workers Gol Gol) 41
Seamus Keogh (Mildura Settlers) 40
SECOND DIVISION
Domenic Price (Irymple) 7/30
Jhy Berry (Mildura East) 5/36
Brendan Giddings (Merbein South) 73 not out
Lee Evans (Coomealla Wentworth) 53 not out
THIRD DIVISION
Lachlan Price (Mildura Settlers) 5/23
Tyler Garraway (Irymple 5/24
Justin MacFarlane (Merbein South) 55 not out
FOURTH DIVISION
Tomas Hawkes (Nichols Point) 7/58
Justin Merrett (Irymple) 65
