MILDURA Settlers’ post-Christmas renaissance in the Sunraysia Cricket Association continues following a fourth consecutive First Division victory.
After dropping their first seven games of the season, the powerhouse side of the previous decade are within striking distance of the top four following their 33-run win over Irymple at Henshilwood Oval on Saturday.
The win was led by experienced campaigners. Luke Stanbrook top-scored with 42 and Jason Morrison and Richie Wyld both made 37 at better than a run a ball as Setts finished on 7/185 from their 40 overs.
Also impressive was Josh Goss who, following an unbeaten century in the seconds the previous week, scored 24 when elevated to No.3 in the top division.
Irymple coach Bryson Lush (3/46) led the wicket-taking with his spin, Bailey Anderson chiming in with 2/25.
In response the Swallows found themselves in early trouble at 4/38 and despite a middle-order recovery led by David Filippi (46), they were all out 152.
Setts new-ball bowler Vick Singh was impressive early, removing four of the first five wickets on the way to taking 4/35. Youngster Beau Kiel finished with 2/35.
The battle for fourth place worked better than expected for Mildura East, who have pushed up to third following their eight-wicket win over Mildura West at John Hall Oval.
Chasing 130 for victory, co-captains Brad Thomas (55) and Andrew Ross (49 not out) led from the front to get their side home with six- and-a-half overs to spare.
West youngster Josh Driscoll snared both wickets in East’s innings to finish with 2/26.
Chris Williams earlier top-scored for West with 68 of 129 as the home side had to fight back from 4/37.
The scalps were shared between the East bowlers, Ross and Tom Vadlja each claiming two.
Nichols Point skipper Shaun Mathews put Coomealla Wentworth in a spin with his 6/27, leading his side to a seven-wicket victory at Nichols Point Reserve, as well as a one-day final berth against Gol Gol.
Mathews took the final six wickets of the Blues innings to restrict them to 142, Liam Freeman top-scoring for the visitors with 59 from 55 deliveries.
Shannon Bowen made an unbeaten 49 as the Pointers made it home comfortably. Bowen smashed a six and a four in consecutive deliveries to secure the win.
Wade Hancock and Shac Thomas were up to their old tricks as ladder leaders Gol Gol accounted for Merbein by 35 runs at Alcheringa Oval.
In his return following quad soreness, Hancock made 74 and Thomas 64 as the home side made 4/181 from 40 overs.
Merbein veteran Shane Trinick led the bowling with 2/27.
Thomas then took 3/24 as the Magpies were dismissed for 146, Hamim Miah top-scoring with 34 and captain Mark East making 29.
