GOL Gol has secured a home final in the Sunraysia Cricket Association first division thanks to a 137-run win over Nichols Point.
Their victory against the Pointers moves them more than two games clear, and put one hand on the minor premiership on the chase for back-to-back flags,
The defending premiers set the Pointers the massive task of chasing down 330, led by Wade Hancock’s 129, however, the home side finished their 80 overs at 8/193 at Nichols Point Reserve.
Gol Gol got a huge early scalp with Cal Hickey bowling Point skipper Shaun Mathews on the fourth ball of the innings.
While Nick Blacker scored 50 at the top of the order, wickets steadily fell for the home side, their final unbroken partnership between Archie Walker (41 not out) and Dale Chappell (25 not out) representing the biggest partnership of 48.
Leading wicket taker Shac Thomas was at it again with 4/41, Hickey finishing with 2/25.
Coomealla Wentworth, meanwhile, are right back in the race for the finals after securing an outright victory over Mildura Settlers by three wickets.
Following week one’s chaos, which saw the Blues claim first innings points but trail Setts by 24 runs at stumps, there was plenty to play for.
Setts guns Luke Stanbrook (87) and Jason Morrison (79) put the home side in a strong position in their second dig, leading skipper Keegan Macdonald to declare at 4/217 needing outright points, setting Coomealla Wentworth 195 runs for victory.
Blues opener Mitch Kemp smashed 49 from 31 deliveries while Tauseef Kataria (40 not out) and Alston Cook (27) played solid hands to get them across the line.
Irymple remain inside the top four following their 23-run win over Mildura West at Henshilwood Oval.
West resumed on 1/28 chasing early 211 but weren’t able to build enough partnerships to get across the line.
Ash Durie (38), Brandon Dixon (33) and Chris WIlliams (29) all played solid hands, while Locke Thornton added 25 at number 11, sharing a 49-run final stand with Taj Hill.
Swallows skipper Mark Thomson and coach Bryson Lush did most of the damage with the ball, taking 3/32 and 3/49 respectively.
Mildura East have taken a step towards second placed Nichols Point following their 137-run win over Merbein.
Set 235 for victory, the Magpies were all out for 97 with skipper Mark East (27) and Tony Trinick (25) leading the scoring.
Tom Vadlja led the wicket taking with 3/5 from five overs.
In their second dig the Magpies finished at 4/96 with East not out on 35.
