SWIFTS/GREAT Western has pulled off a remarkable run chase in the Grampians Cricket Association on the back of a brilliant innings from opener Sam Cocks.
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After being set the big total of 220 by Aradale last week the Combine proved up to the challenge with Cocks smashing a classy 95.
Cocks batted for a large portion of the innings after being dropped twice early on. He eventually fell just shy of a century as young bowler Tom Williamson and keeper Riley Wood combined for the break through.
Despite Cocks losing his wicket, Swifts/Great Western was already well on its way to the win at 2/146, with Craig Marrow and Rick Peters picking up the slack.
Marrow improved on his average with an unbeaten 64, while Peters was also not out on 42 as the Combine passed the required total in the 52nd over to finish the day on 3/229.
The come-from-behind win keeps Swifts/Great Western at the top of the competition table, tied on 24 points with Buangor (which had a fortnight's break courtesy of the bye) and Youth Club, which fell just short of claiming the first outright win of the season against Chalambar.
After being sent in by the Clubbers last week, Chalambar made just 77 runs and knew it was in a lot of trouble heading into day two.
Resuming at 1/55 Steve LeGassick failed to add to his total after making 27 on day one, while Koby Stewart added just one run before being dismissed for 16.
Captain Jamie Solyom equalled LeGassick's high score of 27, but it was slow going as he found the boundary once for the innings.
With a lead of 52 Youth Club declared and was on the hunt for quick wickets, which did come.
Luke Robinson provided some resistance for Chally with a knock of 19, while the next best was opener Lakhvir Singh on 14.
Youth Club's bowlers were on target sending the bails flying on three occasions, with Jarrod Illig the best taking three wickets for one run.
Much to the Clubbers' disappointment, Chalambar made enough runs to see it avoid an outright loss, with the team holding onto its 10th wicket to finish at 9/62.
Pomonal pulled off a big upset by defeating GCA reigning premier Tatyoon.
The Tigers got off to a good start last weekend losing just two wickets on their way to 71 runs as they looked to chase down Tatyoon's 144.
With the opening pair in the sheds for the day, Adnan Rasheed and Luke Jordan faced the challenge of getting their eye back in after both made starts late on day one.
Rasheed added six runs to the total before he hit one skyward off the bowling of Michael Harricks and was caught by Robert Glen.
Jordan continued to reduce the deficit, making his way to 39, before he become John Butler’s first victim as the ball went thundering into his pads to be given out leg before wicket.
Robert McKinnon and Sam Sparks made valuable contributions in the middle order, but failed to go on with it as they were both dismissed for 19.
Pomonal’s tail provided little resistance, making 16 runs from their last four wickets, however the top order had done enough to see the home side take the points from the first innings.
Jake Williamson was the best of Tatyoon’s bowling attack taking six wickets for 30 runs.
Tatyoon returned to the crease for the second innings and was 0/36 when rain forced a premature close of play.
The result marked the first time Pomonal has defeated Tatyoon in several seasons.
Tatyoon’s record for 2014/15 now sits at one win and three losses, however the team is expected to be bolstered for next week’s clash against Youth Club.