THE race for fourth spot is down to two clubs as Coomealla-Wentworth and Mildura West recorded crucial wins in Round 16 of Sunraysia cricket.
Any fading hope that sixth-placed Nichols Point held were ended by third-placed Mildura Settlers, who cruised to victory to leave the Pointers 30 points out of the top four with just four rounds remaining.
But it was the upset win of Coomealla-Wentworth over premiership favourites Irymple that proved the highlight of Saturday’s round of one-day matches.
Irymple, which was missing gun all-rounder Dan Coghlan, lost three early wickets to the Freeman brothers, Justin and Liam, before Wade Minter (31 off 29 balls), David Filippi (30 off 56) and Mark Thomson (32 off 41) gave the innings some momentum through the middle overs.
But the pressure created by the disciplined and underrated Coomealla-Wentworth attack paid off, forcing Irymple’s lower order into mistake after mistake, before eventually rolling them out for 151 with four overs remaining.
In a thrilling run chase, it was again Bevan Wade who played the matchwinning hand for the visitors, blasting a brilliant 51 off 45 balls against the best bowling attack in the competition.
Mitchell Kemp also played a big hand with 26 opening the innings, limiting the damage of big Chase Stone, who was excellent with 1/13 off five overs, but importantly for Coomealla-Wentworth, did not rip through the top order as he has been known to do.
WEST’S IMPRESSIVE RUN CONTINUES
The win kept Coomealla-Wentworth five points clear of Mildura West, which was again impressive in putting away bottom side Merbein South.
Star left-hander Chris Williams proved a class above the Saints’ bowling attack, with 84 off 94 balls, while captain David Mbindi produced a fine 40, as West posted an impressive total of 7/199 off its 40 overs.
It was always too many for the struggling Saints, who finished with 129 in reply, highlighted by an excellent 42 from Dillon Furze batting at number eight.
KEOGH DOMINATES FOR SETTLERS
Seamus Keogh made a stunning return for Mildura Settlers with a dominant all-round display against Nichols Point.
Keogh, who has been plying his trade in Melbourne, took 5/32 and then made an unbeaten 41 to help his team cruise over the line.
Nichols Point never found momentum with the bat, forcing Brad Thomas (39 off 80) and Tate Hulland (42 off 100) to work hard for their runs, as they limped to a total of 131.
It was never enough as Richie Wyld (40 not out) also enjoyed some time out in the middle as his team shapes up for another finals series.
WORKERS GOL GOL TOO STRONG
In the final match, there were few surprises, as Workers Gol Gol outclassed the competitive Mildura East.
Shac Thomas (61) continued his great run of form for Workers, while Simon Groves made 41, as they posted 9/161 against an East attack that stuck to its guns throughout. Veteran Tom Vadjila was the pick of the bowlers with 3/23.
Vadjila backed up that effort with 49 with the bat, but East was always well below the run rate and ended up 22 runs short.
The win has catapulted Workers Gol Gol back to the top of the ladder after Irymple’s shock loss.
