A BLISTERING seven-wicket haul from playing coach Luke Coates and an impressive 81 from recruit Shannon Bowen fired Nichols Point to an upset victory over Coomealla Wentworth in SCA cricket on Saturday.
It was the first win of the season for the Pointers, who skittled the Blues for just 45 to secure a huge 175-run victory at George Gordon Oval.
Bowen (81 runs from 87 balls) and Nick Blacker (62) were brilliant with the bat, sharing in a 128-run, fifth-wicket partnership to help the Pointers back from being 4/56.
They finished their 40 overs at 8/220, with Andrew Porker taking 5/56 for the home side.
Coates (7/19) then took the game by the scruff of the neck, ripping through the Coomealla Wentworth top order, taking the first seven scalps of the innings. Lewis Dichiera pinched two late wickets.
English import Nafis Shaikh was the only batter to reach double figures, making 22.
Mildura East have leapfrogged Irymple into fourth on the ladder after taking down the Swallows by 53 runs at Henshilwood Reserve.
Young guns Surendra Prajapat (4/23) and Josh Bowyer (3/26) impressed with the ball to dismiss Irymple for 128, despite the solid 46 at the top of the order from captain Mark Thomson.
In the earlier innings, Connor Robinson’s 37 helped East to 8/181 from their 40 overs, with Tom Vadlja (28), Regan Connell (27), Blake Meyers (24 not out) and Andrew Ross (21) all providing support.
Ryan Muir (2/17) and Jarrad Armsden (2/27) each claimed multiple wickets for the Swallows.
A six-wicket haul from veteran Shane Driscoll has pushed Mildura West up to third with a 79-run victory over Mildura Settlers.
Driscoll tore through the middle order, also effecting a run out, as Setts were dismissed for 73. Left-armer Taj Hill also took 2/20, while Jonty Purdue top scored for Setts with 11 not out.
Earlier, West finished their 40 overs at 8/152, with Charlie Walker hitting 44 from 34 deliveries, and Stefan Knudsen adding 38. Harvey Ault, Brad Purdue and Cooper Aldridge all took two wickets each.
Gol Gol are already two games clear on top of the table following a 76-run win over Merbein at Kenny Park.
Golly skipper Adam Thomson top scored with 58 not out, and solid knocks from Wade Hancock (41) and Aidan Calarco (39) helped their side to 4/185. Tony Trinick took 2/44 for the Magpies.
Hamim Miah impressed for Merbein during their run chase with 59 from 68, howeve,r his side were all out for 109.
Stewart Hallam (3/15) and Shacaya Thomas (3/23) were the main wicket takers for Gol Gol.
