By Mitch Rodd
REIGNING Sunraysia Cricket premiers Irymple started their calendar year with an important win over Mildura East in a top two clash as action returned after the festive break.
The round 9, 53-run win, flipping the result from round 8 before Christmas, allows the Swallows to stay on top in a congested top four.
While it was a top two clash, East’s loss sees them drop to fourth in an extremely tight top four after Gol Gol and Nichols Point earned wins.
Fifth-placed Coomealla Wentworth also closed the gap on last year’s grand finalists, setting up a tasty encounter between the two next week.
Led by a 72-run third-wicket stand between brothers Jordan (62) and Riley Payne (45), the Swallows finished all out for 160 in the final over.
Bailey Anderson’s lower order batting form continued too with a solid 25 helping buff out the target.
Scottish international Liam Naylor led all East bowlers with 4/29, vice-captain Nick Dorman claimed 3/16 and leg spinner Jake Wright 2/43.
After East fell for 4/22, it was going to be a tough task for the visitors to fight their way back in but coach Josh Berry (34) and Dorman (38) shared in a 65-run stand to get the score back to on track.
It wasn’t to be however as their side were all out for 107.
Irymple coach Bryson Lush led the bowlers with 3/5 in four overs, while Anderson, Chase Stone and Ben Wilkinson picked up two wickets each.
Meanwhile, Gol Gol star Shacaya Thomas was immediately back into his work, scoring a century in his second consecutive match as his side defeated Mildura West by 122 runs.
The day-night game at John Hall Oval saw the home side off to a great start with Greg Beresi falling for six, but Thomas and Wade Hancock would share in a 137-run stand to put the visitors in prime position.
Thomas would finish unbeaten on 114 as his side made 6/235 from their 40 overs, with Hancock adding 48 and Jeremy Barnes a trademark quickfire 44.
Falling to 4/33, West were always going to find it tough to get back into the game and despite solid resistance from Taj Hill (20), Josh Driscoll (18) and Joe Fleri (17 not out), they were out for 113.
In just his second first division game of the season, Luke Hickey did damage with the new ball taking 3/28, while Matt Cameron, Kain Berryman and Thomas all took two wickets.
At Kenny Park, Coomealla Wentworth have taken a step closer to the top four with a second successive win over Merbein this time by 36 runs.
Batting first, the Blues were in early trouble at 3/17, before import Musa Ilyas made his highest score so far with 40 to help put the innings on track.
Middle and lower order efforts from co-coach Jay Turlan (42), Mitch Kemp (38) and Justin Freeman (25) saw the visitors reach 9/186 in their 40 overs.
Michael Andison and Cooper Brice bowled well for Merbein with the new ball, taking 2/36 and 2/42 respectively.
Again after losing early wickets the Magpies’ run chase was bolstered through the middle and lower order, with all-rounder Angus Smith the best performed with 43 from 47 deliveries.
Captain Hamim Miah scored 20 and Sam Longeri 18, plus they were helped by some wayward bowling with 27 extras, however they fell short of the target all out for 150 with an over to spare.
Following on from his 10-wicket haul in the last match Liam Freeman took another 4/23, while Andrew Porker added 2/22.
Nichols Point rising star Riley Jobson had a big day with bat and ball, helping his side to a six-wicket victory over Mildura Settlers at Nichols Point Reserve.
The teenager top scored and had his side’s best bowling figures as they jumped up to third on the ladder.
Mildura Settlers skipper Luke Stanbrook had his side off to a strong start making 54, well supported by opener Jason Morrison (45) and veteran star Richie Wyld (38 not out).
Just one other batter, however, passed double figures as the visitors finished at 9/175, a competitive total.
Jobson took 3/34 and spin twins Jarrod Forrester and Shaun Mathews took two each.
Jobson’s 61 from 62 deliveries helped lead his side home, while Mathews made 49 and Shannon Bowen 34 not out as they made 4/179.
Mukesh Sharma took 3/20 for Setts.
