Irymple v Coomealla Wentworth
Henshilwood Reserve
Last week: Irymple 8/393 (80)
REIGNING premiers Irymple have set Coomealla Wentworth a massive total of 394 for victory, with English import Scott Steel going massive last week.
The man with county cricket experience peeled off a huge 235 against the Blues on day one, his third century for the campaign taking him to a huge 882 runs in total.
While a number of other players made starts, Millar Payne was the next best with 38 at number eight, while Bailey Anderson made the most of a promotion up the order to score 32.
The task for the Blues was made tougher with the absence of leading wicket-taker Liam Freeman, with brother and opener Justin Freeman grabbing the best figures with 3/49 by dismissing the first three batters, while youngster Charlie Baird finished with 2/85.
Sitting in second, Irymple could push their way past ladder leaders Gol Gol with a big victory, while if Coomealla Wentworth could pull out all the stops for the win, it would be a huge boost for their finals ambitions.
The Blues will look to skipper Luke Cullinan and opener Bevan Wade among others to try and make a dent in the large total, while co-coach Jay Turlan has averaged almost 42 in his past four innings.
Merbein v Mildura West
Chaffey Park
Last week: Merbein 105 (50). Mildura West 6/180 (27).
WITH first innings points already on the board, Mildura West will be looking to push ahead from their 75-run lead in a bid to gain bonus points as they chase a finals berth.
A brilliant bowling spell from English all-rounder Jasper Presswell helped the visitors to dismiss Merbein for 105, before scoring at almost six-and-a-half runs per over to reach 6/180.
After losing early wickets the Magpies had worked their way back to 3/71, before Presswell claimed seven wickets for 12 runs in a nine-over spell including being on a hat-trick twice to end the home side’s innings, finishing on 7/21.
Josh Driscoll was also solid with 2/30, while for the Magpies captain Dillon Furze crafted a well made unbeaten 50, and Carlo Longeri a patient 27.
A second consecutive half-century for Greg Lewis, plus a quick-fire 34 from Tim Watson and 30 from Brandon Dixon ensured West already claimed first innings honours as they look to gain more ground on the top four.
Magpies bowler Tony Trinick has 3/42 from his six overs.
Mildura Settlers v Gol Gol
Mildura Senior College
Last week: Gol Gol 191 (62.1). Mildura Settlers 1/49 (14).
MILDURA Settlers require 143 more runs with nine wickets in hand to secure what would be a huge victory over ladder leaders Gol Gol, and would in fact mark their second victory over them this season.
The NSW side are without leading all-rounder Shacaya Thomas for this match, however an impressive bowling effort from the home side has put them in a solid position for the win.
The match also features three first division debutants with Nate Kiel debuting for Setts and Jake Redston and Cooper MacDowell likewise for the visitors.
Gol Gol were led by an knock of 44 from opener Sheldon Calaraco and 33 from Tyson Adamson during their innings of 161, while Setts young spinner Sam Farmer has seven wickets in two weeks after taking 3/49 in 15 overs.
In his debut Kiel took two wickets, as did coach Cooper Aldridge.
Setts captain Luke Stanbrook (36 not out) and last round’s century maker Josh Coates (one not out) will resume the innings when play gets back underway, with Liam Arnold out for 12 to spinner Will Lowry.
Mildura East v Nichols Point
Mildura Sporting Precinct
Last week: Nichols Point 129 (44.3). Mildura East 1/82 (33).
MILDURA East are just 48 runs away from victory over fellow top four side Nichols Point with nine wickets in hand as they look to solidify their place inside the top four.
Third-placed Point could be leapfrogged by fourth-placed East with the result and they will be looking the nullify as much damage as possible.
East vice-captain Nick Dorman continued his great form with the ball, taking 5/34, his second five-wicket haul of the year, to help dismiss Point for 129.
Co-captain Dean Fulco made an important middle order 43 and Riley Jobson 26, but it was the spate of wickets at the start and end of the innings that brought the downfall.
After losing their first four wickets for 28, the visitors were able to push ahead to 6/126, before the final four wickets fell for just three.
East import Liam Naylor already has a half century and is unbeaten on 52, and will be joined by coach Josh Berry (six) at the crease on resumption.
