THE Sunraysia Cricket Association semi-finals are set with minor premiers Gol Gol to host Mildura East, while Nichols Point and Irymple face off in a semi-final rematch from 12 months ago.
East secured passage to their first finals series since 2018, although were forced to stand in the field while Mildura Settlers’ Jason Morrison teed off for 170 during a second-innings dig.
Requiring 54 runs with nine wickets in hand, East comfortably passed the 107 target and declared at 3/139, led by an unbeaten 59 from Josh Bowyer.
They likely weren’t expecting an onslaught from Morrison, whose unbeaten knock was his third century of the season and took him to the top of the home-and-away run-scoring charts with 892 runs at 63.71 for the season.
Youngster Beau Kiel also made a handy 30 in Setts’ 2/217 from 29 overs.
Coomealla Wentworth required a miracle on the final day to leapfrog East, but could manage only 86 against Gol Gol for a 227-run loss.
Following his outstanding seven-wicket haul last round, Jayden Brooks again stood out with 4/15 from eight overs, with Luke Hickey, Shac Thomas and Than Rajapakse claiming two each.
Alston Cook and Jay Turlan were joint top-scorers for the Blues with 18 each.
Irymple secured victory by 179 runs over Merbein at Henshilwood Oval.
Chasing 307 to win, the Magpies were all out for 127, skipper Mark East’s 61 being the only score of substance.
Vice-captain Billy Phelan (4/38) and Dom Price (4/35) were the leading wicket-takers for the home side.
In their second dig Irymple made 3/46, led by 30 from Riley Payne.
A solid bowling performance by Nichols Point helped them to a 115-run victory over Mildura West and set up their first SCA home semi-final.
West were held to 126, Kian Burns scoring 50 to finish with 437 runs for the campaign, a total inside the top 10 in the competition.
Following his 45 last week, youngster Colby Marr took three wickets in four balls to finish with 3/7. Coach Luke Coates snared 3/12.
Semi-finals begin on Saturday and continue on Sunday.
