CLASHES between the top four sides, each looking to create space between them and the pack, headline round 7 of the Sunraysia cricket Women’s Division.
Ladder leaders Merbein will meet third-placed Mildura Settlers at Mildura Senior College on Friday night, while reigning premiers Mildura West, who are second, pay a visit to fourth-placed Coomealla Wentworth at McLeod Oval.
The Magpies are coming off a 28-run win over Irymple last week, when Amy Cupper and Laylee Trinick set the foundation by scoring 40 (retired) and 37 respectively.
Captain Eden Trinick, Tania Scammell and Montana Macfarlane each took two wickets.
An impressive season-high 43 not out from Abbey Aldridge helped Setts to a tight three-run win over Nichols Point Gold.
Captain Shania McKinnon made 33 at the top of the order before her first dismissal of the season, leaving her average at 158.
Her 2/11 from four overs was also instrumental in earning the win.
Meanwhile, for Coomealla Wentworth, Tauta Rangiuira was impressive with the ball, taking 3/11 from her four overs against Mildura East.
It was little surprise captain Katelin Kemp top scored with 43 to lead to the eight-wicket win, but her first dismissal of the season has the league-leading run scorer averaging a huge 163.
Meagan Johnston was also impressive with a season-high 28 runs.
West had to dig deep for a tight two-wicket win over Nichols Point Green, and despite the loss of top-order wickets, captain Breanna Smith’s unbeaten 20 from 10 deliveries helped them over the line.
Earlier, Scarlet Bland and Sesha Achilingam each took two wickets, the latter only needing two deliveries.
In other matches, fifth-placed Gol Gol will face sixth-placed Nichols Point Gold at Alcheringa Oval.
Gol Gol are back off the bye but have Abby and Megan Collihole inside the top 10 for runs scored, while Megan and Emily Collihole are both in the top 10 for wickets.
For the Pointers’ Gold side, Tatiana Kirirua-Gill provided some economic bowling during a loss to Setts, Tania Kirirua-Gill almost led her side to victory with the bat with an unbeaten 36, while Nancy Kirirua-Gill also made a solid 26.
At Nichols Point Reserve, ninth-placed Point Green will face eighth-placed Irymple.
Green made a real fist of their contest with Mildura West to only go down by two wickets.
Captain Gypsy Gange was best with the bat, making 12, while Annie O’Rourke and Sherri Hammence each took two wickets.
Irymple had a solid outing with Maya McGregor among the wickets, while Airlei Taylor kept her strong run of batting form going with an unbeaten 35.
Seventh-placed Mildura East have the bye.
