Reigning premier Aldgate has moved into second spot on the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder after a thrilling four-wicket victory over Mount Lofty at Aldgate Oval in round 12 action. The visitors batted first and lost opener Nick Justice first ball of the match which brought skipper Jordan Neis-Beer to the crease to join Josh Healey. This pair added 65 runs for the second wicket before Healey was dismissed for 49 from 65 balls (2 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s). Aldgate started to work themselves into a good position as wickets fell steadily, despite the efforts of Neis-Beer (52) who made his first half century of the season. The Redcaps were eventually dismissed for 149 in the 40th over. Matty Hansen was the chief destroyer for the home side as he snared his second five-wicket haul for the season, finishing with 5/22 (7.3). Hansen now has 25 wickets for the season. Aldgate started their run chase in shaky fashion as they slipped to 2/8 with both openers back in the shed. Jake Turnbull (40) and Frank Clements (30) set about resurrecting the innings with an important 54-run third wicket stand but when this pair were dismissed, Mount Lofty were well on top with Aldgate at 5/99. Connor Milde (29 not out) joined Alex Kern (25) in a match winning partnership worth 49 runs for the sixth wicket before Dale Stephens hit the winning boundary with three balls to spare. Opening bowlers Adam Carthew (2/15) and James Kittel-Neill (2/21) were the pick of the bowlers for the Redcaps.

Kangarilla consolidated their spot in the top four with a tough 19-run home victory over Bridgewater. Kangarilla batted first and their top five batsmen set up an excellent total of 7/197 from their 40 overs. Cole Davy (56) led the way with his third half century of the season and he was well supported by Matthew Bertelsmeier (33), Steve Featherstone (30), Che Martinsen (30) and Jono Makai (20). Spinner Justin Summerill was the only multiple wicket taker for Bridgewater as he finished with 3/46 from his eight overs. The Raiders run chase began in disastrous fashion as they slumped to 3/16 before Henry Wenk (23) joined skipper Jackson Hooper in a 72-run fourth wicket stand. Adam Eckermann (25) then joined Hooper to add 63 runs for the fifth wicket to lift the Raiders back into the contest. However once Eckermann was dismissed, Bridgewater could only get within 19 runs to finish at 7/178. Hooper continued on to register his first ‘A’ grade century with a fine 101 not out (11 x 4’s). Jack Evans (3/26) was the best of the Kangies bowlers.

Meadows continued their undefeated season after a comprehensive 96-run victory over Flagstaff Hill at Meadows Oval. The home side batted first and got off to a good start with a 51-run opening stand between the HCA's two leading runscorers in Haydn Reid (30) and Luke Tonkin (21). Once this pair were dismissed, Rohan Reid (68) and Brad Dawe (47) added 100 runs for the third wicket as the Bulldogs posted an excellent score of 4/191 from their 40 overs. Jacob Lemon (2/29) was the pick of the Falcons' bowlers. The Flagstaff Hill run chase never got going with only Will Goulding (26) and Tharun Rameshbabu (20) reaching 20 as the Falcons were bowled out for just 95 in the 31st over. Callan Blackwell (4/26), Rohan Reid (3/8) and Chad Dawe (2/19) were the multiple wicket takers for Meadows.

Round 13 (7/3/20) fixtures (home team named first).....

Bridgewater v Meadows

Mt Lofty v Stirling

Aldgate v Flagstaff Hill

Kangarilla has the bye