Swallows chase a piece of history

BACK-to-back Sunraysia Cricket Association First Division premierships for the first time in Irymple’s history would be a special achievement.

Swallows coach Bryson Lush is expecting a high-scoring contest when his side face Gol Gol at Alcheringa Oval this weekend for the 2024/25 flag.

Following their 229-run victory over Mildura East in last season’s decider, led by a masterful all-round performance from captain Mark Thomson, a win this year would be just the fifth top grade flag in club history, but their third in the past eight seasons.

“We’ve really been building at the club for the last four or five years, and while we managed to break through last year’s, we don’t really want it to be a one-and-done scenario,” Lush said.

“The chance to really cement ourselves as a team and create a bit of a legacy would be huge.

“We’ve been really lucky over the past few seasons that we’ve had a really consistent core of players which builds a lot of confidence in each other because we know how we all play.

“Some of the younger kids now like Bailey Anderson and Billy Phelan, who are only 21 and 23, are kind of taking the reins a bit more now, and they’re already really experienced senior players.

“Bill has had an interrupted season with injury but it’s great to get him back at this time of year.

“He looked great with ball in hand last week and Bailey has been Mr Consistent for us as well.”

At the top of the order, Thomson will hope for a performance similar to his 129 and 2/20 from last year, while gun import Scott Steel has a huge 958 runs from across the season.

While they are the two big names in the Swallows’ batting order, Lush said much of the credit should go to opener Riley Payne, who has made 395 runs with three half centuries as an “unsung hero” of the squad.

“Much of what those guys are able to do has come from the foundation ‘Riz’ has been able to create at the top of the order,” he said.

“It’s been his best season in the ones and a really great reward for all the hard work he has put in.”

This weekend, the coach said he expects a “big old bat-off”.

“Historically, it’s a pretty flat wicket with a fast outfield, so I think whoever bats first will really try and get a big score on the board to put the pressure on,” he said.

“They’ve obviously got a really impressive and versatile batting unit so our bowlers are in for a challenge, but in saying that I think last week was the best we’d bowled in two years, so we’re up for it.”

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SCA Grand Finals

First Division: Gol Gol v Irymple

Alcheringa Oval, 1pm Saturday and Sunday

Second Division: Ouyen Rams v Nursery Ridge

Quandong Park Onion Patch, 1pm Saturday and Sunday

Third Division: Tempy v Mildura Royals

Cardross Recreation Reserve, 1pm Saturday and Sunday

Fourth Division preliminary final: Mildura East Blue v Nichols Point

MSP Oval 2, 1pm Saturday

Fourth Division grand final: South West v Prelim winner

Quandong Park Main Oval, 1pm Sunday