THE new turf pitches installed at Nichols Point Reserve should be ready to go as the Pointers host Gol Gol over the next two weeks.
The home side weren’t able to garner a result last week against Mildura Settlers due to the rain interference, but scored 149 in their innings in tough conditions at Mildura Senior College.
Gol Gol were one of two teams to get a win on the board after recording victory over Merbein South, albeit a 40-over affair after week one was abandoned following a COVID case in the Saints’ camp.
Gol Gol coach Adam Thomson said he was happy with the nine-wicket win first up.
“In your first game of the year you never know how it’s going to go but we were really happy with the performance,” he said.
“It’s hard to tell where we sit overall as we’re a much younger side than we’ve been the last few years, so we’ll just give ourselves every opportunity in the games before Christmas.
“Because we’ve gotten a lot younger I think our fielding seemed to be a lot better. Our catching was good and we were able to save a few more runs in there.”
Zac Tankard and Vaughan McClure each got an opportunity to bat, while Jayden Brooks and Oscar Jensen also bring down the age profile.
Clearly Shac Thomas is the Gol Gol danger man following his unbeaten 104 last week.
For the Pointers, Shaun Mathews led the charge with 44 runs while Mark Frazer added 29. It remains to be seen how the bowling of Daniel Chapman, Rakii Woeti and Jack Norton will go against a deep batting line-up.Mildura Settlers v Mildura East
NEITHER Settlers or East were able to get a result in round 1 with inclement weather playing a role, leaving a few questions for both sides on Saturday at Mildura Senior College.
Reigning premiers Setts were strong across the board with the ball, dismissing Nichols Point for 149, with Jason Morrison, Brayden Wood and Richie Wyld each taking two wickets.
Their batsmen did not get a chance to strut their stuff, but certainly the return of veterans Mark Cleary and Andrew Petrie to the crease would be worth watching.
It’s such a deep batting line-up still, with Cam Kiel and Morrison at the top, and skipper Braidyn Turner and Wyld also capable of big scores.
East coach Josh Berry was impressed with his side’s bowling performance against Irymple, but the early loss of wickets in their abandoned batting innings could be a cause for concern.
Wunderkind Surendra Prajapat put in a star making performance with 4/36 at just 15 years old in his fourth game of First Division cricket, while Tom Vadlja and Mukesh Sharma each took three wickets.
East were 4/20 after 17 overs when the game was called a draw, but will be hoping more runs will come, especially for Tyson Giles, who returned to the club from Nichols Point.Mildura West v Irymple
ONE of two teams to be on the right side of a result last round, Mildura West would be feeling confident ahead of the clash with Irymple at John Hall Oval.
A strong bowling performance that held Coomealla Wentworth to 105 would be encouraging, especially with the performance of debutant Harry O’Brien, who took 4/15.
Another good all-round performance from veteran Chris Williams (4/35 and 36) shows the Englishman is set for another solid season, while there is more to come from recruit Sean Hawking with the bat.
The Swallows only got an early taste with the ball against Mildura East, but managed 151 in their first innings back.
Skipper Mark Thomson (36) and Bryson Lush (32) led the scoring, while Chase Stone grabbed two early wickets at Henshilwood Oval.
If the Irymple top order can fire against a reasonably inexperienced West attack, it will hold them in good stead.
