MILDURA East have secured an important eight-run victory over ladder leaders Irymple to end the calendar year, despite a superb unbeaten 140 from Swallows import Scott Steel.
The win in the grand final replay creates an incredibly congested top four after eight rounds, while the entire top six is still well within the finals hunt.
Chasing 270 to win at Mildura Sporting Precinct, the Swallows had a bumpy start as Steel’s innings began at 3/46 after captain Mark Thomson lost his stumps on 34.
Despite the wickets falling at the other end, the Durham native kept scoring boundaries and brought up his second century of the campaign, his final tally including 14 fours and two maximums.
The milestone came during the final partnership with Tyler Garraway, who held up the end well, as Steel did the bulk of scoring. However, the bowler was finally caught behind from the bowling of Liam Naylor to secure the East victory.
The home side shared the scalps between six bowlers with Ryan Muir, Andrew Ross, Nick Dorman and Jhy Berry all claiming two each in their biggest win of the campaign.
Irymple remain on top but East have closed the gap to four points.
Meanwhile, Coomealla Wentworth completed the big victory they were on track for against Merbein at George Gordon Oval to push themselves to fifth on the table.
Resuming on 5/37, the Magpies still had another 76 runs to make to force the Blues back to the crease, but the home side would knock the visitors over for 90 for a win by an innings and 23 runs.
Magpies veteran Tony Trinick gave the most resistance scoring 41, adding to the 22 made last week, while Ethan Walder finished unbeaten on 18.
Liam Freeman took the one extra wicket required for a 10-wicket match, finishing the innings with 3/37, spinner Mitch Kemp claimed 3/8 and all-rounder Jay Turlan grabbed 2/12.
Gol Gol’s 75-run win over Mildura West at Alcheringa Oval has ensured some breathing room between the top four and the chasing pack at the festive break.
After top scoring last week with 66, league leading wicket taker Shacaya Thomas grabbed another three wickets, as did Than Rajapakse, to dismiss West for 152, short of their 227-run target.
Sans captain-coach Chris Williams, West saw Brandon Dixon step up to plate with a patient 54, while English all-rounder Japer Presswell made an unbeaten 26 from 27 deliveries, but ultimately the home side delivered when needed.
Thomas has 25 wickets for the campaign after eight matches, Irymple’s Bailey Anderson being the only other bowler to pass 20 so far.
Nichols Point survived a scare from Mildura Settlers, winning by 49 runs at Mildura Senior College.
Setts star Jason Morrsion got off to an absolute flyer before he was dismissed for 85, and while the wickets fell regularly enough, young gun Sam Farmer impressed with an unbeaten 51, his first top division half-century, and veteran John Bergin added 30 down the order as they were dismissed for 229.
Riley Jobson’s 3/54 was the best of the Point bowlers as they defending their 8/275, while spinner Jarrod Forrester also claimed 2/14.
SCA First Division action returns on Saturday, January 11.
