IN their first home game of the season, Wandella were unable to send their fans home happy as they slumped to a second consecutive large loss to Nyah District.
Nyah seems to be getting stronger each week and with the form Joel Walsh is in, it’s hard to see anyone beating them.
Walsh put in the performance of the SHDCA season.
He smashed 68 not out off 57 balls as the Demons chased down the target of 129 with seven wickets to spare.
It’s rare an innings of that nature gets overshadowed, but Walsh has only himself to blame – not that he’d be complaining – as the all-rounder took 6/54 from his 22 overs in a stunning display.
The Demons only required the services of four bowlers, with skipper Ben Shadbolt (3/29 from 13) also continuing his good form as the boys in red rolled the Bombers for 128.
Gregory Dickson made 24 in his return for the home side and was the second-highest scorer in the innings behind Rohan Oliver, who made 32 not out to give his side some hope.
It would never be enough if they didn’t get Walsh early, and that’s precisely what eventuated.
Walsh was well partnered by Josh Domaille (22) and Shane Fleming (20 not out) as the Demons’ hot streak now goes to eight wins on the trot.
Swan Hill vs RSL
RSL made it two from two since Christmas, easily accounting for Swan Hill in a seven-wicket victory at the Showgrounds.
Following their win against the same opposition last weekend, it now gives the Blues plenty of momentum to assault the final portion of the season after a winless pre-Christmas period.
Winning the toss and batting, the Swans posted a below-par total of 152 from their 50 overs.
It would have been a lot worse if not for Lachlan Edwards, who played a brilliant knock of 85 not out.
All the Blues bowlers bowled well to their plans and ended with economical figures.
Spinner Stuart McGregor was the only multiple wicket taker, finishing with 2/43 from his 12 overs.
It was always going to be tough for the Swans to defend that total but losing front-line bowlers Ian Schodde and Alan Hatcher to injury throughout the innings, in an already depleted line-up, killed off any hope.
As usual, the strength in the Blues batting lay in their opening partnership of Ben Hallam and Ryan Hinton, as the pair put on 79 before Hinton (47) was dismissed following a Connor McCreesh runout.
Hallam (38) picked up where Hinton had left off before he himself was a victim of McCreesh (2/48 from 7.4), this time with the ball.
Kynan Laursen (18 not out) guided the Blues home as the young star looked assured well beyond his years.
The Swans will head into next week’s contest against an inform Ultima TUF, knowing their season is most likely on the line.
Woorinen vs Ultima TUF
WOORINEN slumped to their fifth loss in a row across all competitions, losing by four wickets to a rejuvenated Ultima TUF outfit.
It was the Tigers’ second loss in as many weeks to the Roos and incredibly they now sit outside the top four.
Chasing 168 for victory, it all appeared to be going smoothly for the Roos as they sat comfortably with nine wickets in hand and only 57 required to win.
However, Glenn Violi (3/26) turned the game on its head with the Tigers running rampant, taking five quick wickets to have the Roos teetering at 6/140.
Aydan Symons (15 not out) and Cassidy Sibley (17 not out) calmly guided the Roos through the storm to move their side into the top four.
Kyle Symons was the best with the bat for the Roos, making a well compiled 52.
Earlier on, the return of Cooper Fox (32) didn’t come a moment too soon as the Tigers opener continued his excellent season.
Wickets fell around him though, and at 6/77, it looked like it was going to be a blowout.
The tail wagged, thankfully for the Tigers, as Dylan Smythe (39) and Stefan Mangiameli (47) made a contest of it.
Jordan King was terrific with the ball, snaring 3/34 from his 12 overs, whilst spinner Sibley (3/42 from 19) was also in the votes.
