NICHOLS Point and Gol Gol are one step closer to the Sunraysia Cricket Association Twenty20 final following respective wins over Merbein and Irymple on Thursday night.
With one round remaining, the top two are the only undefeated teams remaining, following the abandonment of the first round back in November.
The Pointers were ruthless against the Magpies at Chaffey Park, with young guns Riley Jobson, Lewis Dichiera and Nick Blacker playing starring roles in the 71-run victory.
Dichiera (48 off 46) and Blacker (36 off 32) shared a 64-run opening stand before Jobson added 22 at a run a ball in their side’s 4/136.
Merbein’s Angus Smith continued his impressive season with the ball, taking 2/32.
Jobson then followed up with 4/14 and Carmine Cavallaro 2/7 as Merbein were all out for 65 in response.
Another half-century for Wade Hancock led Gol Gol to a 22-run win over the Swallows at Alcheringa Oval, ensuring their charge at a clean sweep remains alive.
Hancock (52 off 46) and Shac Thomas (38 off 34) shared an 80-run opening stand, while Jesse McGinty added an unbeaten 23 from 15 balls to lead them to 4/145 from 20 overs.
Irymple finished their 20 overs at 5/123, with Tyson Giles putting together an impressive 42 not out at a run a ball, supported by Liam Garlick (24 off 19) and Tyler McGregor (21 not out off 27).
Scott Withers led the bowlers with 2/27.
A brilliant 67 not out from 49 by Clint Williams helped Setts to their first T20 victory of the season, his 94-run partnership with Vick Singh (49 off 45) vital to their 19-run win over Mildura West.
The duo were the only Setts players to reach double figures as they ended their 20 overs at 5/142 as West gun Locke Thornton flew through the top order with 4/22.
Ash Durie’s 43 off 36 deliveries wasn’t enough for West as they finished at 9/123, Ben Price (3/10) and Jason Morrison (3/20) the best of the bowlers.
Coomealla Wentworth also secured their first victory with a six-wicket win over Mildura East at George Gordon Oval.
East finished at 9/91 from 20 overs, with the Blues chasing the target down with six overs to spare.
The final round of T20 action is on Thursday, February 22.
