INDIVIDUAL brilliance was all the rage in Saturday’s Sunraysia Cricket Association action, with two centuries and two big wicket hauls on the opening day of round 12 action.
Merbein South recruit Mark East has continued his recent hot streak with the bat, making 114 not out against Irymple, the highest score of the First Division season so far.
Not to be outdone, Mildura West gun Chris Williams hit triple figures for the first time in almost three years, reaching 103 against Mildura East.
With the ball, seven-time Innes Medal winner Tom Vadlja secured 7/59 against West, while Irymple skipper Mark Thomson finished with 6/47 against the Saints.
One match has already been decided with Coomealla Wentworth securing first innings points over Nichols Point. The Blues will now aim to secure all-important bonus points that would be invaluable with the logjam of teams around the top four.
Point captain Brad Thomas gave his side a decent platform to work with, scoring 37, however, they lost their final seven wickets for just 15 runs to be all out for 80.
Bevan Wade led the bowling for Coomealla Wentworth with 4/24, Justin Freeman taking 3/21.
In response, the Blues are 2/82 and likely to continue batting with skipper Matt Job (30 not out) and Wade (23 not out) at the crease.
Gol Gol look in control of their contest with Mildura Settlers, rolling their opponents for 137 while being 1/53 in response.
Captain Braidyn Turner top scored for Setts with 49, with Andrew Petrie (30) and Cameron Kiel (28) making handy contributions. Improved paceman Jayden Brooks led the wickets with 4/24.
Shac Thomas (32 not out) and Wade Hancock (15 not out) remain at the crease for Gol Gol.
East’s century helped Merbein South to a season-high score of 202, recovering from being 3/21, with Riley Williams adding 29 runs as well.
Thomson was by far the leading bowler for the Swallows, with his 21 overs constituting almost a third of the amount of overs the Saints faced for their innings.
In response, Irymple are 0/11 with Jed Connelly (five not out) and Bryson Lush (three not out) at the crease.
Williams almost carried his bat through the West innings, being the last man out as the side made 179. Outside of the centurion, Joe Fleri was the only other batter to reach at least double figures, making 32.
Vadlja and and Andrew Ross bowled 44 of the 74.1 overs between them, with the former collecting his best bowling figures for a few seasons.
East are 0/4 in response with Vadlja (three not out) and Blake Meyers (one not out) at the crease.
