A SWASHBUCKLING century from Coomealla Wentworth all-rounder Bevan Wade headlined an intriguing opening for two-day action in the Sunraysia Cricket Association.
The hard hitting opener smashed the Mildura West bowling attack for 109 from 88 deliveries with 10 boundaries and four sixes to become the second century scorer of the season in first division.
His team perhaps wasn’t able to capitalise as well as they would have liked however, finding themselves all out for 208 after just 52 overs, with Jay Turlan (32) and Justin Freeman (21) making the only other scores of note.
West’s English all-rounder Jasper Presswell impressed with 3/49 while Tim Watson marked his return to the side with 3/56.
In response, West are in an interesting position at 3/65 from 25 overs, with another 144 runs required to win.
Youngster Josh Driscoll is leading the scoring with 19 not out, while Freeman (two) and Wade (one) each took wickets for the Blues.
Meanwhile, Scottish international Liam Naylor fell agonisingly short of his maiden century in Australia, dismissed for 97 as Mildura East were out for 189 by Gol Gol.
The NSW side in response are 0/34 from 11 overs, with Kaine Berryman on 22 and Jayden Brooks on 12.
Naylor and English import Josh Andrews (35) got East off to a strong start at Mildura Sporting Precinct with a 72-run partnership, but Berryman (3/21) would respond by taking three wickets in fairly quick fashion.
The Scotsman made his way into the 90s before being caught by Wade Hancock from Brook’s bowling.
Innes Medal winner Shacaya Thomas helped clean up the lower order taking 4/43.
At Henshilwood Reserve, Nichols Point have set themselves a strong foundation for their top of the table clash against Irymple, making 247 from 78 overs.
The runs were distributed fairly evenly across the top order for the Pointers, but youngster Riley Jobson has his third half-century of the season with a patient 68, which included a 97-run stand with Shannon Bowen (50), who was dismissed for the first time to take his early season average to 178.
English import Theo Toddhunter (37), coach Nick Blacker (36) and recruit Brad Rosenzweig (33) also made solid starts to their respective innings.
Caleb Garraway was the best of the Swallows bowlers taking 4/30, while coach Bryson Lush grabbed 2/37.
At Chaffey Park, Merbein are 32 runs away from securing their opening victory of the season, currently at 5/93 chasing the target of 125 set by Mildura Settlers.
Batting first Setts lost a couple of early wickets but solid knocks from captain Luke Stanbrook (34) and Josh Coates (24) helped steady the ship.
Thanks to the bowling of Cooper Brice (3/17), Angus Smith (3/59 from 20 overs) and Ethan Walder (2/8) the Magpies were able to dismiss the visitors for 124 after 51 overs.
Smith followed his massive bowling day with a quick-fire 50 from 45 deliveries, while Josh Stanley also made 29 at the top of the order for Merbein.
In his return to first division, Setts bowler Keegan Macdonald took 3/16 from his three overs.
All matches continue on Saturday.
