Swifts/Great Western left hander Travis Nicholson showed his class with another big innings in the clash against Youth Club at Central Park on Saturday. Nicholson led the charge in the Combine’s big win with his innings of 86 runs. Picture: MARK McMILLAN
GCA - Aradale have reached the A grade Grampians Cricket Association finals following an outright win over Pomonal at the weekend.
In a shock twist to end the home and away season, Aradale jumped into fourth position to end Buangor's season early by just four percentage points.
Aradale's Matthew Baldock had a day out, taking 6/17 to help his side claim maximum points against the Tigers.
After having already lost first innings points, Pomonal needed to make quick runs to salvage some pride and end what has been a long season for the bottom placed side.
Sitting at 3/13 in reply to Aradale's first innings offering of 5/121, Pomonal's batting nightmare continued.
Lee Oliver could only manage six runs before becoming Baldock's first victim for the afternoon, while Nick Scott was Pomonal's highest second innings run scorer with 18.
Scott and just one other player, Luke Roberts (11) reached double figures as Pomonal were skittled out for a score of 66.
Aradale did have to bat again, reaching 0/24 in order to force an outright result.
As expected, Swifts/Great Western took advantage of a dry wicket to take home first innings points against Youth Club in the final day of their two day encounter.
Youth Club could only manage a first innings score of 96 on a damp Central Park turf wicket on the first day.
Swifts/Great Western got off to a horror start, losing 2/0 before resuming on at 2/9.
Night watchman Jamie Bach fell early, while Jackson Dark quickly followed and with the score at 4/54, the Combine were in trouble.
Travis Nicholson took to the crease and together with Rick Peters, the Combine's fortunes quickly turned around.
The pair put on a match saving partnership of 119 runs before Cam Kimber broke through to remove Peters on 59.
Nicholson fell short of making another century, reaching 86 runs while Tom McCord (26) and Gary Ranton (18) chipped in as the Combine finished the day on 252.
Cam Kimber was best of the Clubbers bowlers, taking three wickets for the afternoon to finish with 4/46 over both days of play.
A century to Lachlan Laidlaw has guided Tatyoon to a first innings win over Buangor.
Resuming on 0/58 in response to the Buangor's score of 214, Laidlaw and opening batting partner Andrew McDougall added 38 runs before McDougall was removed on 40.
Top order batsmen Jarred Blandford and Andrew Ward didn't have much luck, while Laidlaw kept working away to reach 114 before going out.
Nathan O'Brien (24), Ashley Maconachie (21) and Tim McDougall (23) shone through the middle and lower order to help Tatyoon post a first innings score of 287.
Chris Jerram, Harry Ganley and Jack Ganley picked up two wickets each for Buangor.
Buangor did have a bat again, making 3/91 with Tyson Carr not out on 47 runs.
Steven Butler made 111 runs for Chalambar C grade in their one day win over Buangor.