Nichols Point v Irymple
Nichols Point Reserve
A HUGE game lies ahead with four rounds remaining in the season as Nichols Point and Irymple are only separated by three points on the ladder in second and third place.
The Swallows dropped down from top spot after their loss to Gol Gol last round, but with such a small margin between all of the current top four, the quest for a home final will ramp up.
The Pointers completed a comfortable seven-wicket win over Merbein two weeks ago to give them an 8-2 record for the season.
Shannon Bowen, Anthony Morris and Shaun Mathews all shared in the wickets to dismiss the Magpies for 101, before Riley Jobson led the chase with an unbeaten 45, giving him 146 runs at 73 in has past three innings.
Swallows import Scott Steel continues to impress, leading the league run scoring with 621 following his 71 in the Gol Gol loss, however more runs to support him will be needed.
Their strong bowling unit led by Bailey Anderson means they are always in any contest.
Mildura Settlers v Merbein
Mildura Senior College
PRIDE and much-sought-after points will be on the line when Mildura Settlers and Merbein collide for the second time this season.
Following wins in their opening two one-day games of the season, Setts have yet to return to that position, while the Magpies’ only victory so far came in the corresponding two-day game in round 5.
The home side did put in a good shift against Mildura West last round as young spinner Sam Farmer continues his impressive recent form with a four-wicket haul, taking him to a team-leading 12 for the campaign.
He also has scores of 51 and 25 in his past three innings, proving the biggest support with the bat for Jason Morrison and his 37 two weeks ago.
The Magpies were all out for 101 in the last round against Nichols Point but vice-captain Dillon Furze has led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 34 at No.6 to try to carry his side through.
Michael Andison claimed 2/17 in the loss to Point, but spinner Angus Smith has proved their most dangerous bowler so far with 14 scalps for the campaign.
Coomealla Wentworth v Mildura West
McLeod Oval, Wentworth
WITH four rounds remaining, it’s likely only one of these two sides will have a chance to force their way into the top four, making this contest vital.
Fifth-placed Coomealla Wentworth aim to bounce back from defeat at the hands of Mildura East, while sixth-placed West bounced back from three straight losses to record an important victory over Mildura Settlers.
Net run rate could also play a role in who might be able to make a push for the top four as both sides need that number to increase if they are to dislodge any of the incumbents.
For the Blues, bowling spearhead Liam Freeman continues to look dangerous, claiming two wickets in the loss to East, and sitting at 21 for the season.
Co-coach and all-rounder Jay Turlan has been solid with the bat since Christmas with scores of 42 and 39 in his last two digs, while Bevan Wade also made a quickfire 35 – but if he’s allowed to split the field then he can easily reach triple figures in no time.
West won’t be over the moon with being dismissed for 136, but their subsequent bowling effort to dismiss Setts for 99 shows their dangerous options with the ball.
Captain-coach Chris Williams was again effective with his spin claiming 4/10, while import Jasper Presswell took another 3/10 to take his season tally to 18.
Gol Gol v Mildura East
Alcheringa Oval
NEW ladder leaders Gol Gol will look to remain in their current position against fourth-placed Mildura East in what looms as another potential finals-shaping contest.
Less than 10 points separate the teams, meaning East could easily leapfrog the NSW side if they can take victory at Alcheringa Oval.
A strong eight-wicket victory over reigning premiers Irymple last week, led by three wickets from Jayden Brooks and half-centuries from Wade Hancock and Shacaya Thomas, extended Gol Gol’s winning streak to seven matches.
Thomas continues to perform as the outstanding all-rounder of the competition, but he has good company in Scottish international Liam Naylor.
The East import was last week’s standout, with an unbeaten 113 from just 103 balls giving him his maiden century on Australian soil.
After showing impressive form in Second Division, Luke Hansen came up to the firsts and led his side’s bowling with 3/19, while Naylor and Andrew Ross each finished with two scalps.
Gol Gol had a strong win in their two-day encounter against East earlier this season, but expect fireworks in this game.
