TWO batsmen have fallen just short of their opening centuries of the Sunraysia Cricket Association season on day one of round 8 games.
Irymple all-rounder Bryson Lush made 96 against Gol Gol at Henshilwood Oval, while Mildura Settlers opener Jason Morrison finished on 91 at McLeod Oval on the way to Setts grabbing first-innings points.
Players finally got back into the 80-over format following rain-affected games in recent weeks, with the Swallows being the first team to break the 200-run mark this season.
While Lush was at the crease, he lost partners Jordan Payne and Nick Giofre early through Oscar Jensen (2/20) before partnerships with Billy Phelan and Mark Thomson pushed the score to 3/138.
Just four runs away from triple figures however, Lush was caught behind by Adam Thomson from the bowling of Nick Jensen, who finished with 4/54.
Jarrad Armsden added 26 in the lower order to help the score along. Sheldon Calarco also impressed with the ball, taking 3/39.
Gol Gol, starting their innings, were 0/34 from 19 overs, with Jayden Brooks (21) and Zac Tankard (13) at the crease at the close.
At Wentworth, home side Coomealla Wentworth won the toss and chose to bat, finishing all out for 116.
Coach Liam Freeman, batting at No.3, made 62 from 97, but only Darby McLean and Luke Cullinan (both 14) were also able to reach double figures.
Three-time Innes Medal winner Richie Wyld was on fire with the ball, taking 6/20, while Cal Hickey chimed in with 2/14.
Settlers reached the required total without losing a wicket, looking to push ahead to claim an innings victory and bonus points.
Morrison reached 91 from 87 deliveries but fell to the bowling of Jake Wright when Tanner Begg took the catch. The other party in the opening partnership, Cameron Kiel, made 29.
Monty Moloney (7) and skipper Braidyn Turner (2) remained not out.
Mildura East put together a solid total of 177 against Nichols Point at Brian Weightman Oval.
Skipper Josh Berry led the way with a patient 53, which included just three boundaries, while Andrew Ross (30) and Aaron Cordell (22) also made important contributions.
Pointers coach Shaun Mathews finished with the best figures of 4/41, while Jack Norton claimed 2/26.
At Chaffey Park, visitors Mildura West chose to bat first, with Merbein South dismissing them for 161 in the 61st over.
The evergreen Chris Williams continued his good form for the season, making 38, with Scott Knudsen (29 not out) and Joel Minter making some handy late runs after the side were 8/94.
Following his six-wicket haul last week, Jarrod Forrester added another 3/27 to his stats book, while Rob Roelofs, Tony Trinick and Mark East each took two scalps.
In reply the Saints were 2/57, with Hamim Miah (22) and Roelofs (18) the not out batsmen.
