NINE wickets for the day, including a second innings hat-trick from Coomealla Wentworth bowler Liam Freeman has helped lead his side to a strong position for an outright win over Merbein in Sunraysia Cricket Association.
Meanwhile, star batters Brad Thomas and Shannon Bowen both scored centuries to put Mildura East and Nichols Point respectively in strong positions in the final round before the festive break.
Freeman had a monster day out and the work of he and his teammates leave Merbein needing another 76 runs to make the Blues bat again in their second dig at George Gordon Oval.
An outright victory would help the sixth-placed Blues close the gap with the top four.
Freeman took the first three wickets of the Magpies opening innings and finished with 5/18 and seven maidens from 12.2 overs as they were all out for 66.
Andrew Porker helped clean up the tail with 3/10 while Jay Turlan took 2/15.
In response the Blues boldly declared at 5/179, Colby Wade leading the run scoring with 55, supported by Justin Freeman (42) and Bevan Wade (36).
Magpies vice-captain Dillon Furze took 3/28 to take his season tally to nine wickets.
Freeman struck early in the second dig, dismissing Mark White caught and bowled in the opening over, but it was in the ninth over when it would get even better.
Hamim Miah, Angus Lang and Kurtis Fitzpatrick were dismissed in successive deliveries to give the Blues bowler the rare feat.
Merbein were 5/57 at stumps with Tony Trinick not out on 22.
At Mildura Sporting Precinct, Mildura East captain Brad Thomas continued his strong recent form from the veterans national championships to peel off 101 in his side’s top of the table clash with Irymple.
East finished their 80 overs at 8/264, creating a solid target for the reigning premiers to chase down.
Scottish import Liam Naylor got the home team off to a strong start with 53, before coach Josh Berry (57) and Thomas shared in a 101-run third-wicket stand.
Left-hander Thomas reached his century in the 76th over, marking his second three-figure score in his past 10 SCA innings.
For Irymple, leading bowler Bailey Anderson was again superb with 5/55, taking his season tally to 20 wickets, while import Scott Steel chipped in with 2/77.
At Mildura Senior College, the understated Shannon Bowen reached his third century since joining the Pointers in 2022, scoring 108 as his side set Mildura Settlers 276 to win.
The Setts bowling attack were on top early after leaving the visitors 3/37, but Bowen played a superb innings to help steady the ship and build strong partnerships.
He got great support from Shaun Mathews (56), captain Dean Fulco (45) and young gun Riley Jobson (40) as the Point middle order took their side to 8/275.
Vick Singh (2/30), Keegan Macdonald (2/46) and Sam Farmer (2/84) were all in the wickets.
At Alcheringa Oval, Mildura West fought back well with the ball against Gol Gol to dismiss the home side for 227, taking the last nine wickets for 82 runs.
Gol Gol were off to a strong start again through a 75-run opening stand between Greg Beresi and Shacaya Thomas, before the former fell for 38.
Wade Hancock then shared a 70-run stand with Thomas before Gol Gol suddenly lost 3/1 with Thomas run out on 66, before Hancock (37) and Tyson Adamson were dismissed in successive balls by West import Jasper Presswell.
Jayden Brooks did his best to steady the ship with a lower order 23, but West would be happy with a target of 228.
Presswell finished with 3/30 and West captain-coach Chris Williams took 3/45, with Greg Lewis chiming in with 2/10.
