NICHOLS Point continues to push towards a maiden Sunraysia Cricket Association First Division finals campaign after completing an important victory over Coomealla Wentworth.
Following their innings of 9/344 last week the Pointers held the Blues to 184 all out on Saturday at Nichols Point Reserve, completing the 160-run win and entrenching themselves in third place on the ladder.
In his return match with Nichols Point, Kaushik Aphale claimed 4/47 to accompany his 80 last week, while Luke Coates (3/47) and Shaun Mathews (2/35) were also amongst the wickets.
Coomealla Wentworth import Nafis Shaikh did all he could with impressive 74, while Colby Wade (26) and Luke Cullinan (22) also made starts, but the visitors fell short.
Mildura West also grabbed an important win, defeating Mildura Settlers by four wickets at Mildura Senior College.
Set 154 to win and resuming on 2/16, West skipper Greg Lewis fell early to leave Westies at 3/18.
Important lower order innings from Brandon Dixon (46), Charlie Walker (43) and Taj Hill (34 not out) helped West across the line, with Walker and Dixon’s 64-run partnership providing stability.
Setts’ English import Harvey Ault removed both top scorers to finish as Setts’ most successful bowler with 3/61, Brad Purdue and Mark Kerr each claiming two.
The result has pushed West into fourth on the ladder.
Irymple were able to hold Mildura East at bay to claim a 28-run victory at Brian Weightman Oval.
Resuming at 0/28 East looked in a strong position to chase down 166 runs, but three wickets early from Irymple skipper Mark Thomson, who finished with 3/21, put the pressure back on the home side.
East captain Josh Berry carried his bat and remained at the crease on 49 when his team went all out for 137. Import Josh Bowyer added just four more runs after resuming on 20.
Thomson, Ryan Muir (3/30) and Bailey Anderson (2/8) did the damage for the Swallows.
Gol Gol’s mammoth total of 6/369 also proved too much for Merbein to chase down at Alcheringa, however, the Magpies gave a good account of themselves, making 9/215.
Skipper Hamim Miah led the way with 57, his second half-century of the season while youngster Kurtis Fitzpatrick impressed with a patient 33.
Shac Thomas led the wicket-taking for Gol Gol with 3/39, Jeremy Barnes chipping in with 2/23.
Sunraysia cricket takes a week off for the upcoming Adelaide Test match, before a one-day game on December 17 marks the final match before the Christmas break.
