The bowlers had a day out at Willunga on Saturday as Willunga and Encounter Bay traded blows on day one of their clash during round 12 action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). 16 wickets fell for just 153 runs as the Bays reached stumps at 6/67 in pursuit of Willunga’s first innings total of 86. Earlier, Encounter Bay sent Willunga into bat and the Demons were soon in strife at 5/22. Chad Franceschini played a lone hand for Willunga, being the only batsman to reach double figures, top scoring with 56 from 78 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Encounter Bay skipper Blake Bailey led from the front with 5/41 (11), his second five-wicket haul of the season. Kieran Garrett (3/18) and Luke Crichton (2/15) were the other wicket takers for the Bays. The Encounter Bay run chase started poorly as they slumped to 3/10 before Cam Lintern (21) and Max Longhurst (14) steadied the ship to leave the Bays needing 20 runs to win and claim the minor premiership. Daniel Hockham (2/5), Simon Roberts (2/21) and Sean McIvor (2/28) were the wicket takers for Willunga. 

Port Elliot have put themselves in a good position to claim a top-two spot after posting 8/231 on day one of their clash with McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale. It was an excellent team batting display by the Bloods with Scott Hannam (28), Ethan Spriggs (34) and Ben Griffiths (40) making good contributions. But it was skipper Joel Harris who was the standout with 79 from 129 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6), his third half century of the season. Harris is having a career-best season with 485 runs at an average of 69.29. The Crushers used nine bowlers with skipper Luke Goodieson (3/23) and Keith Schofield (2/43) the multiple wicket takers. 

Mt Compass will be pushing hard for an outright victory on day two of their clash with Victor Harbor at Burgess Oval after ending the first day on 3/108 in pursuit of the Vipers’ first innings total of 117. An outright win for the Bulls would be enough to catapult them into the finals. Earlier, Victor Harbor batted first with veteran Tim Watson top scoring with 42 from 71 balls (7 x 4’s). No other Vipers batsman reached 20 as they were bowled out for 117 in the 48th over. Ethan Osmond (3/16), Bailey Baldock (3/17), Ethan Anderson (2/6) and Aaron Dalitz (2/9) were the wicket takers for ‘Compass’. The home side wasted no time setting after the small total as Jamarley Daley (49) and Matthew East (43 not out) helped their side to within 10 runs of first innings points at stumps. 

Myponga-Sellicks and Yankalilla are locked in a tight tussle after day one of their clash at Myponga was dominated by the bowlers. The Mudlarks batted first but could only manage a total of 99 before being bowled out in the 56th over. Michael Tomlinson top scored with 22 to continue his consistent season. Aaron Smith was the best of the Yankalilla bowlers with the excellent figures of 4/27 from a marathon 23 overs. Leg-spinner Luke Bartlett was the other multiple wicket taker with 2/9 from nine overs. The Tigers had 14 overs to negotiate before stumps and they finished on 2/13. It could be a nervous run chase on Saturday with a win for the Tigers securing their finals berth. However, a loss would leave them at the mercy of other results. 

Needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive, Goolwa batted first against Noarlunga and posted 137 at Old Noarlunga before being bowled out in the 69th over. It was tough going in the first session with the Magpies 2/36 at the tea break thanks to some tight bowling from the Shoes. Luke Giddings (38) and Jayden Crees (22) put on a handy 33-run seventh wicket stand, while four other batsmen reached double figures without going onto a big score. Travis Bronstein bowled an excellent spell for the Shoes, claiming 5/44 from 20.4 overs, while Cam Bullard took 2/20 (7).