Irymple v Coomealla Wentworth
Henshilwood Reserve
WITH a last-gasp win under their belt against Nichols Point last week, Irymple need just one more victory to ensure they are playing finals again this season.
Conversely, if Coomealla Wentworth can pull off a huge win at Henshilwood Oval, they remain right in the thick of qualifying for finals.
It makes for an interesting contest with two of the strongest bowling units in the competition.
Swallows star Scott Steel has led the way with run scoring this season but it was Liam Garlick, Mark Thomson and Billy Phelan who top scored last week against Nichols Point.
Steel did lead the way with the ball taking three wickets, while Thomson, Bailey Anderson and Bryson Lush all claimed two in an even team performance.
If not for a late flurry of wickets, the Blues likely would have gotten across the line against Mildura West, Jay Turlan continuing his strong recent batting form with 57, also taking 2/9.
Liam Freeman and Mitch Kemp have also been dangerous with bat and ball.
Merbein v Mildura West
Chaffey Park
MERBEIN will look to grab as many points as possible in the final three rounds to end the season on a high, starting with their clash against Mildura West at Chaffey Park.
Their opponents, meanwhile, will be on a high after their tight two-run win over Coomealla Wentworth, which has them stalking the top four with three rounds remaining.
For the Magpies it was a tough day out against Mildura Settlers last week but Tony Trinick, Hamim Miah and Jeremy Lia were among the wickets, while spinner Angus Smith was economical in his eight overs.
Experienced batters Mark White (34) and Carlo Longeri (33 not out) were the best with the stick and certainly will hope to do likewise in the longer format
For West, all-rounder Jasper Presswell put together a sparkling performance when needed.
Following an unbeaten 57 with the bat, the Englishman took three wickets in the penultimate over of the day to secure a two-run win for his side.
Young gun Josh Driscoll also got some reward for his bowling workload this season taking 4/26, while former captain Greg Lewis added a well-made 51.
Mildura Settlers v Gol Gol
Mildura Senior College
ON a high following their first win since October, Mildura Settlers will hope to keep momentum rolling into their clash with ladder leaders Gol Gol.
The NSW side enjoyed a strong win over Mildura East last week and another win will go well towards securing a home final.
An impressive unbeaten 102 from premiership player Josh Coates headlined Setts third win of the season last week against Merbein, the knock coming from just 96 balls with 12 boundaries and four maximums.
Jason Morrison (51) and Luke Stanbrook (48) also put in great shifts with the bat, while Keegan Macdonald, Brayden Wood and Beau Kiel bowled extremely well.
For Gol Gol, another strong 75 from Shacaya Thomas took him to leading run scorer and wicket taker in the competition, while Adam Thomson added 47 to move him towards the top 10 for runs made.
Kain Berryman continues his impressive season with the ball, claiming his third three-wicket haul of the season against East.
Mildura East v Nichols Point
Mildura Sporting Precinct
IN another contest that could shape the final four, Mildura East will look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Gol Gol against Nichols Point at MSP.
The Pointers also want a return to the winner’s list after falling short of Irymple by a single run the previous round.
The third and fourth contest could go a long way to one team securing finals action, while the other will keep an eye over their shoulders for Mildura West and Coomealla Wentworth.
East import Liam Naylor continues to impress, and while he managed just 20 with the bat, his bowling form continued with 3/28, while vice-captain Nick Dorman grabbed 2/43, taking him to 19 wickets for the campaign.
Skipper Brad Thomas was best with the bat making 34 while four others all scored in the 20s.
Co-captain Nick Blacker led the charge in the run chase for the Point with 59, while fellow co-captain Dean Fulco was also important with 38.
Youngster Charlie Goldup claimed two wickets, with spinner Jarrod Forrester leading the team for the season with 21 scalps.
