THE highest score by any side this season couldn’t have come at a better time, as top side Gol Gol showed their batting prowess while making a statement to the rest of the Sunraysia Cricket Association.
Playing away from home against second-placed Nichols Point, Gol Gol ended their day at 6/330 in a mature display of batting typified by an increasing run rate.
Wade Hancock was rock solid for Gol Gol and compiled 129 from 211 balls.
The performance was slightly higher than his season average, which is 125.
Sheldon Calarco (50) and Adam Thomson (55) each scored at a different pace but were instrumental in setting the imposing target.
Shannon Bowen claimed three wickets for the home side but no other player managed more than one dismissal.
At Mildura Sporting Precinct, a final-wicket partnership of 114 between Regan Connell and Ryan Muir ensured Mildura East posted a respectable score after their middle order collapsed.
East were 9/120 but ended the day all out for 234 after Muir was dismissed by Merbein’s Riley Clifford.
After such a strong start, it was a disappointing finish for Merbein, who would be kicking themselves after taking 5/9 before the final wicket.
Tony Trinick was impressive in 11 overs for the away team and finished with an economical 4/33.
At Henshilwood Reserve, the Irymple bottom order also repaired a collapse.
Jordan Payne top-scored with an unbeaten 43 for the home team, who finished all out for 210.
Five Mildura West players claimed at least one wicket each.
They were sent in to bat for 11 overs and ended the day 1/28.
In the other game, neither Mildura Settlers or Coomealla Wentworth were able to score freely thanks to good bowling by both teams.
Liam Freeman and Tauseef Kataria each took three wickets for Coomealla Wentworth and played an important role in dismissing Settlers for 79.
Settlers player Vick Singh also had an impressive day with the ball, finishing with 4/18, as Coomealla Wentworth declared at 9/101.
Settlers were sent back in and were unbeaten on 46 after 10 overs.
