FOUR century run makers and the best individual bowling figures of the season featured in the opening day of the penultimate round of the Sunraysia Cricket Association.
Irymple skipper Mark Thomson, Mildura East co-captain Brad Thomas and Gol Gol opening pair Aiden Calarco and Shac Thomas all reached triple figures in a run heavy day across the board.
Gol Gol all-rounder Jayden Brooks, meanwhile, marked his return to the first division side with a brilliant 7/14 to put his side in a dominant position against Mildura Settlers.
The 12.1 over figures of Brooks, who was back in the side after 110 in the seconds the previous week, led the top side to dismissing Mildura Settlers for just 60, with Mukesh Sharma the only player to reach double figures scoring 33.
After Brooks and Luke Hickey (2/37) did the damage with the ball, Calarco and Shac Thomas made sure they took the time to shine.
Sharing a 211-run partnership Calarco (144 from 129) scored his second first division ton, and Thomas (106 not out) his second for the season as Gol Gol reached stumps at 1/283 from 51 overs.
Thomson’s 113 marked his third century of the season, a knock proving especially handy against Coomealla Wentworth as the lower order couldn’t keep the pace.
The captain shared in a 180-run second-wicket stand with David Filippi, who scored a career best 63 in first division.
Coomealla Wentworth fought back with late wickets however, taking the Swallows from 3/220 to all out for 241.
Andrew Porker worked through the lower order taking 3/17, with Justin and Liam Freeman and Jay Turlan all taking two each.
The Blues in response are 0/0 after four overs.
Brad Thomas’s well-crafted 102 not out puts third-placed East in a solid position against second-placed Nichols Point as they fight for a potential home final.
East finished their 80 overs at 4/277 with Thomas and Tom Vadlja (68) sharing a 133-run stand after Josh Bowyer (40) helped give them a solid early platform.
Point all-rounder Shannon Bowen (2/33) and coach Luke Coates 2/62 finished as the only wicket-takers.
Merbein have put the pressure back on the Mildura West batsmen to keep their finals ambitions alive, responding to two sub-100 scores last round to craft 7/240.
Hamim Miah got the Pies off to a strong start with 56, before youngsters Angus Smith (51) and Dillon Furze (41) showed impressive temperament through the middle order.
In his maiden first division appearance for the season Riley Cox took 2/12 for West, with Ash Durie taking 2/77 after bowling 28 overs.
