Aldgate won their second Hills Cricket Association (HCA) T20 title last night with a 21-run win against reigning champion Mount Lofty at Heathfield Oval. Aldgate skipper Jake Turnbull won the toss and decided to bat first and the ‘Gaters’ lost opening batsman Josh Callaghan (4) in the first over. Mitch Thomas and Luke Smet came together for a 39-run stand before Smet departed for 31 (20 balls). The loss of Smet brought the destructive Frank Clements to the crease and he combined hard running with some big hitting to put on 52 runs for the third wicket with Thomas (19). Clements continued on to score 75 not out from 52 balls. His innings included five boundaries and six sixes as Aldgate posted a very competitive total of 5/164 from their 20 overs. Peter Giannes (2/21) and Dave Bennett (2/27) were the pick of the Redcaps bowlers. 

Mount Lofty opened up with Josh Healey and ‘A’ grade East Torrens ‘guest’ player Henry Dall with Aldgate opening bowler Matty Hansen getting the big wicket of Healey (3). Aaron Smith (8) joined Dall to put on 28 runs for the second wicket before veteran Perry ‘Chainsaw’ Edwards entered the fray to dismiss Smith. Dall went shortly afterwards for 29 (40 balls) and he was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Adam Carthew, as the Redcaps slipped to 4/50. The dangerous Jack Sandercock was going well and he was joined at the crease by Stewart Leigh as the reigning champions got themselves back in the game through a 50-run fifth wicket stand. Just as the Redcaps were making progress, Leigh was run out for 14 (9 balls). Edwards struck a double blow to effectively end the contest as he clean bowled Sandercock for 34 from 21 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) and then also bowled Jordan Neis-Beer to see the home side at 7/110. Bennett (23 from 16 balls) helped raise the final score to 8/143 as Aldgate celebrated their second HCA T20 title. Edwards was the pick of the bowlers with 3/16 (4) and he was well supported by Clements (2/43), Turnbull (1/21) and Hansen (1/31).