Aldgate moved a game clear on top of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder at the Christmas/New Year break following a comprehensive eight wicket win over Uraidla on Saturday at Aldgate Oval. After bowling Uraidla out for just 73, Aldgate wasted no time in securing victory as they knocked off the required runs in the 15th over. After winning the toss and batting first, the visitors were under immediate pressure as Matty Hansen (3/18) removed the Demons’ top three batsmen to leave Uraidla at 3/17. Skipper Michael Parker (26) and veteran Ryan Hunter (12) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Perry Edwards (2/6), Jack Woollard (2/8) and Jake Turnbull (2/10) were the other multiple wicket takers for the home side. Aldgate took the chance to change their batting order with Luke Smet (24) and Harry Morbey opening the batting with a partnership of 38. Morbey went on to top score with 31 not out from 35 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Mason Pitt (1/17) and Ben Ratcliffe (1/20) were the wicket takers for Uraidla. 

Mount Lofty inflicted Flagstaff Hill’s second loss of the season with a 55-run victory at Heathfield Oval. The Redcaps batted first and it was hard work as they slipped to 6/70 and a score of under 100 was a distinct possibility. Veteran Dave Bennett joined Dylan Dunbar in what would prove to be the pivotal partnership of the innings as they put on 42 runs for the seventh wicket before Bennett was dismissed for 22 from 30 balls. Dunbar would go on to top score with an important 34 not out from 51 balls as Mount Lofty finished their 40 overs on 8/136. Five Flagstaff Hill bowlers took wickets with James Patterson (2/22), Jacob Lemon (2/23) and Lenny Berkefeld (2/24) leading the way for the Falcons. It was tough going for the visitors in their run chase but with Angus Heaton (17) and Berkefeld (16) getting together for a 29-run stand, the Falcons reached 2/51 and were well in the game. That was as good as it got for Flaggies as they lost their last 8/30 to be bowled out for 81 in the 34th over. Brett Pistola continued his good season to take 3/11 from six overs and he was well supported by Bennett (2/13) and James Kittel-Neill (2/15) as the Redcaps notched their third win for 2020/21. 

Meadows showed their class with a convincing six-wicket win at Stirling to sit in fourth position on the HCA ladder at the Christmas break. The Eagles batted first and looked in a good position as they progressed to 3/123 with Daniel Gonzalez (39), Kosta Sinodinos (32) and Myles Collins (22) all making good contributions. However the Bulldogs hit back hard to take the last seven Eagles wickets for just 37 runs as they were bowled out in the 39th over for 160. Callan Blackwell (3/38) and Kris Dawe (2/19) bowled well for Meadows but it was skipper Rohan Reid who took the bowling honours as he cleaned up the last four wickets to finish with 4/6 from 4.2 overs. The Meadows run chase was set up by an excellent opening stand between veterans Haydn Reid and Kris Dawe who put on 121 to take the game away from Stirling. Haydn Reid scored 61 from 73 balls while Dawe scored at better than a run-a-ball with 60 from 49 balls. The Eagles managed to take four wickets but Meadows won in the 28th over. Chris Shaw (2/22) and Jack Pick (2/24) were the pick of the home sides bowlers.

Meadows skipper Rohan Reid was in a buoyant mood after the victory. “It was one of our best wins in recent times,” Reid said. “They got off to a flyer but we managed to peg them back with some good bowling and fielding and we were really happy to restrict them to 160. “We also got off to a good start to be 1/135 at drinks which really took the sting out of the game. It was a really important game for us and hopefully we can get our best side on the park more often than not in the back half of the season and make finals. We’re certainly enjoying the challenge at the moment.”

Kangarilla defeated Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) by 46 runs in a low scoring affair at Kangarilla Oval to notch their fourth win of 2020/21. SCIB won the toss and sent Kangies into bat and the home side got off to a fast start thanks to Jono Makai (26 from 14) and Cole Davy (22 from 26). This pair added 45 for the first wicket but it was the only significant partnership of the innings. Ben Evans (22 not out) and Carlos Venter (22) helped boost the final total to a competitive 142. Andy Adams bowled a fantastic spell for SCIB as he snared 3/11 from a miserly eight overs. Danny Coleman (3/23) and Beau Thomas (2/43) were the other multiple wicket takers. Scott Creek Ironbank got off to a reasonable start in their run chase as the opening pair of Conor Lidstone (24) and Darcy Campbell (12) added 22 for the first wicket. Sadly for the visitors, Beau Thomas (16 not out) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as they were bowled out in the 39th over for just 96. Steve Featherstone continued his excellent season as he took 4/14 from eight overs. ‘Feathers’ has taken 13 wickets and made 225 runs so far this season. Ryan Smallman (2/18) and Ben Evans (2/27) also made good contributions with the ball for Kangarilla. 

The competition will resume on the 9th of January following the Christmas/New Year break..

Ladder (after round 9)

Aldgate 33, Flagstaff Hill 27, Kangarilla 27, Meadows 24, Mount Lofty 24, Stirling 15, Uraidla 12, Scott Creek Ironbank 6.

Round 10 fixtures (9/1/21) (home team named first)

Meadows v Flagstaff Hill

Mt Lofty v Aldgate

Kangarilla v Stirling

Uraidla v Scott Creek Ironbank