MILDURA West have one foot across the line for a Sunraysia Cricket Association finals berth.
Their 86-run win over Merbein, combined with Coomealla Wentworth’s defeat at the hands of Gol Gol, ensures the boys from John Hall Oval are in the drivers seat with one round to go.
Following Thursday night’s thrilling Twenty20 final over the same opponents at the same venue, Coomealla Wentworth came into Saturday with confidence, however they were unable to chase down Gol Gol’s 281-run target, going all out for 160.
West and the Blues come head to head this round at McLeod Oval in what is set to be a quasi elimination final.
After a late order rescue mission last week, Mildura West’s bowlers did the damage to ensure the Magpies never got going.
Merbein were in trouble at 5/45 and while lower order knocks from Seane Headland (27 not out) and Shane Trinick (25) helped build the score but the Magpies were all out for 132 chasing 219.
After his heroics with the bat last week, West veteran Shane Driscoll added 5/45 to his match tally, with Chris Williams and Charlie Walker taking two each.
Having another bat after the result was confirmed, West made 7/150 from 26 overs with Kian Burns smashing 72 from just 58 deliveries.
Gol Gol’s win secured them the minor premiership and a home final, likely against either West or Coomealla Wentworth again.
Matt Cameron was at his best with his second consecutive five-wicket haul nabbing 5/51, with Shac Thomas and Riley Burns also taking two wickets each.
Coomealla Wentworth import Nafis Shaikh (55) and keeper Colby Wade (42) looked solid at the top of the order but when Bevan Wade (21) was dismissed at 5/123, the Blues lost their final five wickets for 24 runs.
Meanwhile Nichols Point are going to the SCA First Division finals for the first time after securing at eight-wicket victory over Mildura East.
Resuming on 1/80 chasing 142, the Pointers reached the target comfortably, going on to make 300 all out.
Leigh Thomson-Mathews’ strong form since returning continued with 81, his third half-century in five innings, while Shannon Bowen scored 71 in a return to form.
Jayden Hunt lead the wickets for East with 3/91.
Irymple also secured an outright victory over Mildura Settlers on the way into finals building momentum ahead of this week’s top of the table clash with Gol Gol.
After moving past Setts’ 91 last week, the Swallows declared at 6/225 with Wade Minter with 76 from just 44 balls. Mark Thomson wasn’t able to add to his 45 scored last week.
Harvey Ault put in a power of work to take 3/85 from 14 overs.
Setts’ second knock saw them all out for 81, Ben Hall top scoring with 37 as Bailey Anderson took 4/6 and Bryson Lush 3/23.
The final round of the SCA home and away season takes place over the next two weeks.
