Aldgate moved to the top of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder following their thrilling last over victory against Meadows on Saturday at Aldgate Oval. Requiring 12 runs to win from the final over, Aldgate’s Connor Milde (24 not out from 15 balls) hit Anthony Hughes (3/61) for two sixes to bring up a four wicket victory for the home side with two balls to spare. Earlier in the day, Meadows batted first and posted a competitive total of 8/204 from their 40 overs. The innings was underpinned by an excellent 120-run partnership between Meadows skipper Rohan Reid and young ‘keeper-batsman Oscar Tydeman. Tydeman made his highest score in ‘A’ grade ranks with 49 from 47 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Reid went on to top score with 80 from 81 balls (4 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s). Will Turner took the bowling honours for Aldgate with 4/44 from his eight overs. Luke Smet (2/33), Jake Turnbull (1/19) and Matty Hansen (1/22) were the other wicket takers for the home side. Aldgate opening batsman Mitch Thomas made a welcome return to form with a fine 85 from 116 balls (8 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) and there were handy contributions from Smet (25), Angas Wauchope (24) and Turnbull (20) before Milde’s last over heroics got his side over the line for their third win in as many starts in 2021/22. 

Stirling ended reigning premier Mount Lofty’s undefeated start to the season with a comfortable eight-wicket victory at Stirling Oval. Redcaps skipper Jordan Neis-Beer won the toss and decided to bat first but his side were soon under pressure with the in-form Josh Healey dismissed by fast bowler Chris Shaw without scoring. Regular wickets fell as Mount Lofty slipped to 4/45 before the hard-hitting Jack Sandercock smashed a quickfire 23 from just 11 balls (1 x 4, 2 x 6’s). Once Sandercock was dismissed, the visitors collapsed, losing 4/4 to slip to 8/76. Will Healey (19 not out) added some respectability to the score as the Redcaps were eventually bowled out in the 36th over for just 107. Shaw wound back the clock as he snared 3/5 from six fiery overs and the big quick was well supported by Kosta Sinodinos (2/18), Jack Read (2/28) and Jack Pick (2/32). Stirling’s run chase hit an initial hurdle with Myles Collins (4) dismissed early, but the experienced duo of Pick (44 not out) and Daniel Gonzalez (38) added 68 runs for the second wicket and then Pick and new recruit Matthew Frith (10 not out) put on an unbeaten 22 runs for the third wicket as the winning runs came up in the 33rd over.

Kangarilla won their second game of the season and consolidated their spot in the top four after a convincing seven-wicket victory at Bridgewater on Saturday. The home side batted first and it was tough going as they posted 6/132 from their 40 overs. They were off to an excellent start as Luke Hoyle and Justin Summerill added 70 for the first wicket before Hoyle was dismissed for 53 from 71 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Summerill went on to make 30 from 68 balls, while Rhys Jordan battled hard to finish on 24 not out. Che Martinsen (2/18) and Ben Evans (2/23) were the pick of the bowlers for ‘Kangies’. Jordan (1/20) dismissed Kangarilla opener Steve Featherstone (4) to give the Raiders a glimmer of hope with the visitors at 1/14. Martinsen continued his good day as he was joined by teenager Lachlan Knight in a 77-run stand for the second wicket before Knight was dismissed for 49 from 66 balls. Knight has 129 runs from his two innings so far in 2021/22. Martinsen went on to make 56 not out from 77 balls as the winning runs were knocked off in the 31st over. Charlie Birnie (1/15) and Raff Sullivan-Llewellyn (1/27) were the other wicket takers for ‘Bridgy’.

Uraidla won their first match of their 2021/22 campaign with a tight two-wicket win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Uraidla Oval. SCIB skipper Beau Thomas won the toss and decided to bat first and his team made a good start with Darcy Campbell and Adam Shearwood putting on 57 runs for the first wicket before Campbell was dismissed for 26. Shearwood continued on to carry his bat through the innings as he finished on 61 not out. Unfortunately no other Scott Creek Ironbank batsman could reach double figures as they were bundled out for 124 in the 34th over. Mitch Makings was the star with the ball for Uraidla as he took his best ‘A’ grade figures with 4/20 (8). He was well supported by Ben Brumby (2/20) and Israel Symington (2/22). Uraidla also started their innings well with Alex Heptinstall and the returning Dylan Brown (11) adding 38 for the first wicket. Heptinstall and Peter Wilson (18) then put on 46 for the second wicket as Uraidla got themselves into a commanding position at 1/84. Danny Coleman (3/30) was brought into the attack for SCIB and got the key breakthroughs as he dismissed Wilson and then Heptinstall. Heptinstall top scored with a hard-hitting 56 from 49 balls (8 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Uraidla were in freefall as they lost 7/30 to sit precariously at 8/114, still 11 runs from victory. Veteran left-arm seamer Andy Adams bowled a sensational spell to claim 3/7 (8) but it wasn’t enough as Ben Brumby (14 not out) held his nerve to see Uraidla over the line by two wickets in the 34th over. 

Ladder (after round 3)

Aldgate 18, Stirling 15, Kangarilla 15, Mount Lofty 12, Meadows 6, Uraidla 6, Scott Creek Ironbank 0, Bridgewater 0.

Round 4 fixture (home team named first)

Scott Creek Ironbank v Aldgate

Bridgewater v Stirling

Mount Lofty v Kangarilla

Meadows v Uraidla