Aldgate and Mount Lofty remain the only undefeated teams in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) after round two action on Saturday. Aldgate had another convincing victory as they defeated Uraidla by nine wickets, while Mount Lofty chased down their victory target against Flagstaff Hill with 12 balls to spare.

Aldgate travelled to Uraidla with both teams feeling confident after round one victories. The home side batted first and got off to an excellent start as Alex Hepinstall (28) and Ben Sheppard (21) added 40 for the first wicket before Aldgate skipper Jake Turnbull struck. Turnbull removed both openers followed by two more wickets as the Demons crumbled to 4/57. Turnbull finished with the excellent figures of 4/13 (8). He was well supported by Matty Hansen who claimed 2/25 (8). Simon Parker (22) was the only other Uraidla batsman to pass 20 as the Demons posted 9/113 from their 40 overs. Aldgate were untroubled in the run chase as Josh Callaghan (28) and Mitch Thomas (62 not out) added 82 for the first wicket before Callaghan was dismissed in the last over before drinks by Renzo Gaetan (1/24). 16 year-old Max Bilsborow was promoted to number three in the batting order and made 11 not out in his first ‘A’ grade innings for the Gaters.

Mount Lofty and Flagstaff Hill were also first round winners as they clashed at Flagstaff Hill with the home side batting first. It was a cautious start by the Falcons as they inched along with Max Renfrey (22 from 61 balls) and Matt Emes (17 from 52 balls) putting on 37 for the first wicket. Once Emes was dismissed Angus Heaton (29 from 41 balls) gave the innings some impetus but no other Falcons batsman could pass 20 as the innings ended on 8/138. Adam Carthew was the pick of the Redcaps bowlers as he snared 2/18 (8) and he was well supported by Aaron Smith (3/35) and Will Healey (2/31). Mount Lofty were under immediate pressure in the run chase as Jono Coat and James Kittel-Neill were dismissed cheaply to leave Lofty reeling at 2/2. When the dangerous Smith was run out for 14, the visitors had slipped to 3/21 and the Falcons were well on top. Skipper Jordan Neis-Beer was playing a patient innings and he was joined by Bradley Hutton as this pair set about resurrecting the innings. They eventually added 92 runs for the fourth wicket in a match winning stand before Neis-Beer was dismissed for a pivotal 34 (102 balls). The undoubted star of the day was Hutton who made his first ‘A’ grade half century and finished on 74 not out from 79 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the winning runs were hit in the 38th over to give Mount Lofty a six-wicket victory.

Meadows are on the board for 2020/21 following a convincing eight-wicket win at home over Stirling. The visitors batted first and compiled a seemingly competitive total of 156 before being bowled out in the 40th over. Daniel Gonzalez (34 from 48 balls) top scored for the Eagles with skipper Jack Pick (27 from 62 balls) and Jacob Kemp (23 from 39 balls) the only other Stirling batsmen to pass 20. Rohan Reid (3/27), Callan Blackwell (3/36) and Chad Dawe (2/19) were the multiple wicket takers for the home side. Meadows got off to a fast start through Haydn Reid (25 from 27 balls) and the returning Luke Tonkin who added a rapid 76 for the first wicket. Skipper Rohan Reid joined Tonkin as the score raced past 100 before Tonkin was dismissed for 57 from 49 balls (8 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Rohan Reid continued on his merry way to bring up his half century before finishing on 66 not out from 52 balls (11 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as the winning runs were brought up in just the 23rd over. Jack Pick (1/12) and Myles Collins (1/23) were the wicket takers for Stirling.

Kangarilla also notched their first win of the season as they travelled to Cherry Gardens to take on Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB). Kangarilla batted first and got off to a good start through the in-form Steve Featherstone and Jono Makai who put on 57 for the first wicket before Makai was dismissed for 26 from 28 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Featherstone continued on to record his second consecutive half century before being dismissed for 56 from 85 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). A score of 200+ appeared possible for the visitors but Scott Creek Ironbank hit back to take the last five wickets for just 18 runs as Kangarilla were dismissed in the last over for 180. Skipper Che Martinsen was the last man out for 37 (41 balls). Danny Coleman (3/45), Beua Thomas (3/45) and Nathan Abbott (2/4) were the multiple wicket takers for SCIB. The run chased started disastrously for the home side as they crumbled to 3/6. Darcy Campbell (15) and veteran Andy Adams tried to resurrect the innings but the damage was done as SCIB were bowled out for 122 in the 35th over. Adams played a lone hand with a fine 48 from 65 balls (5 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Ben McGowan provided some entertainment towards the end of the innings with a quickfire 21 from 22 balls (5 x 4’s). Martinsen continued his great day to snare 4/16 (8) and he was supported by teenager Ben Evans who took 3/26 (8).

The competition will take a break next Saturday (24 October) for the AFL grand final with round three games scheduled for Saturday 31 October.

Ladder (after round 2)

Aldgate 12, Mount Lofty 12, Meadows 6, Flagstaff Hill 6, Kangarilla 6, Uraidla 6, Stirling 0, Scott Creek Ironbank 0

Round 3 fixtures (home teams named first)

Flagstaff Hill v Meadows

Aldgate v Mount Lofty

Stirling v Kangarilla

Scott Creek Ironbank v Uraidla