NICHOLS Point remain undefeated at the top of the table following their 70-run victory over Irymple in round 4 of the Sunraysia Cricket Association.
Resuming at 1/31 chasing another 200 runs for victory, the Swallows were all out for 160 at Nichols Point Reserve to allow the Pointers to keep their place at the top of the pecking order.
After just another 13 runs Point coach Luke Coates struck twice in two deliveries to dismiss David Filippi and acting captain Billy Phelan to put the Swallows on the back foot at 3-46.
Daniel Frasca went soon afterwards for 40, before the ship was steadied in the middle order through Matt Austin (26) and Jarrad Armsden (50 not out).
It wasn’t to be enough, however, as the Pointers wrapped up the win, Coates finishing with 4/25 and Michael Maalste with 3/43.
Nichols Point made 5/88 in their second dig, Riley Jobson following week one’s 99 with another 31.
A club-record 228 not out from Mildura Settlers’ star Jason Morrison helped his side to avoid an outright loss against Merbein, however, the Magpies still claimed the win first innings points following last week’s demolition.
After scoring 29 and Merbein declaring at 8/215 meant, Settlers needed at least 187 runs to make the Magpies bat again and avoid the outright loss.
Morrison’s magnificent knock, plus 51 from 59 from Vick Singh helped Setts to declare at 6/336, Merbein’s veteran paceman Shane Trinick taking another three wickets after his four from last week.
Merbein batted for another 18 overs and made 1/47.
The loss of five wickets for five runs after a solid start hamstrung Mildura East’s run chase against Gol Gol at Alcheringa Oval, the reigning premiers victorious by 110 runs.
Resuming 0/35 chasing 283, East started well despite the loss of Josh Bowyer for 24 but after fellow Englishman Josh Andrews went for 59, Gol Gol had their tails up.
East went from 1/98 to 6/103 and despite solid knocks from Jayden Hunt (27) and Nick Dorman (26 not out) they couldn’t recover.
Gol Gol Shac Thomas made it back-to-back five-fours taking 5/35, Matt Cameron also taking 3/44.
In Gol Gol’s second knock of 1.145, Wade Hancock added another 92 unbeaten runs to his season tally.
An inspired bowling performance from Locke Thornton ensured Mildura West went 3-1 after securing a 53-run win over Coomealla Wentworth at McLeod Oval.
Resuming on one chasing 167, the Blues just weren’t able to build partnerships as Thornton’s 6-37 helped dismiss the home side for 113.
Bevan Wade and Liam Freeman each scored 30 but no partnership exceeded 28 runs.
Stefan Knudsen made 50 not out during West’s second dig in which they made 7/107.
