NICHOLS Point will be desperately hoping for star fast bowler Luke Coates to return from injury as it slumped to another loss on Saturday.
The Pointers have dropped to sixth on the ladder after a blistering start to the summer after they were outgunned by Mildura West on Saturday.
West clocked up an excellent total of 7/190 off its 40 overs, with the typically solid Ben Hallam showing great intent at the top of the order with 71 off 94 balls. It was the foundation for West to build around, with Luke Hickey the next best with 63 off 91.
Without Coates, the Pointers struggled to make inroads, with Daniel Chapman and Matt Boyd finishing wicketless and conceding 70 from a combined 15 overs.
Nash Richman, playing his first game of the summer after returning from school in South Australia, was the main threat with 3/9 but he bowled just three overs before leaving the field with a migraine.
With the bat, the ultra-aggressive Leigh Thomson-Mathews threatened early with 20 off 17 balls, and Brad Thomas (37) and Dean Fulco (69) kept the target in sight, but once they fell, the run rate pressure got to the rest of the batting order, who capitulated to finish all out 164, with Richman not returning to bat.
In other games, Mildura East threatened an upset against Irymple, but eventually fell 19 runs short.
After keeping Irymple to just 155 after an excellent team bowling and fielding performance, East was in the fight all along, but run rate pressure eventually told. Josh Berry, opening the innings, was typically dour, but his 18 off 80 balls may have proved costly in the end, as East ran out of time with the score on 136.
And Coomealla-Wentworth took care of business against bottom side Merbein South to remain firmly in the finals hunt.
Brady Moore top scored with 37 for the Saints as they made 138. But Coomealla-Wentworth never looked in great danger, easing past the total with four wickets in hand.
Captain Justin Freeman continued his stunning form, taking 3/11 with the ball before making 38 in the run chase in a clear man of the match performance.
