Encounter Bay moved to the top of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after a high scoring three-wicket win over Port Elliot during round 10 action at Port Elliot on Saturday. The home side batted first with a 100-run stand between Tyson Levy and Joel Harris providing the backbone of the Bloods’ innings. Levy top scored with 67 from 60 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Joel Harris made 54 from 84 balls (8 x 4’s). Liam Harris (27) and Patrick Dodd (22 not out) made handy contributions as Port Elliot posted 7/198 from their 40 overs. Blake Bailey was the leading wicket taker for the Bays with 3/40 (8). The response from Encounter Bay began shakily as they slipped to 3/37 in the 12th over. Opening batsman Matt Smalley-Harris was joined by Lachie Barrett in a crucial fourth-wicket stand worth 95 runs before Smalley-Harris went for 53 (90). Three quick wickets fell as Port Elliot were back on top again with the Bays at 6/133. Andrew Pacitti (21 off 22) then joined Barrett to take the visitors within sight of victory as Barrett hit the winning runs with five balls to spare. Barrett top scored with 95 not out from 78 balls (6 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Six Port Elliot bowlers took wickets with Liam Harris (2/49) the leading wicket taker. 

Noarlunga moved up to second spot on the GSCA ladder with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Goolwa at Old Noarlunga. The Magpies batted first with Matt Overall top scoring with 59 from 70 balls (7 x 4’s), while Vic Robertson made 36 (49) as Goolwa finished their 40 overs with 9/134. All five Noarlunga bowlers took wickets with Caleb Baldwin (2/23), Travis Bronstein (2/23) and Sean Williams (2/30) the multiple wicket takers. The Shoes got off to an excellent start through Cam Bullard and Travis Bronstein putting on 101 for the first wicket before Bullard departed for 67 from 47 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Bronstein continued on to finish on 46 not out (81 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 26th over. 

McLaren Districts kept their slim finals hopes alive with a four-wicket win at Yankalilla on Saturday. Batting first, Yankalilla got off to an excellent start through openers Lachlan Whittlesea (42) and Aaron Smith (31) as they added 75 for the first wicket. After the opening stand however, it was all McLaren Districts as they took 10/57 to bowl the Tigers out in the 39th over for 132. Left-armers George Beard (3/23) and Chris Beaty (3/23) did the damage for the Crushers, while teenager Kian Labuschagne took 2/19 (8). McLaren Districts were in trouble early on in the run chase at 2/11 before Beaty (38), Justin Twartz (31) and Caleb Mitchell (23) steadied the ship to see the Crushers over the line with seven balls to spare. Chris Clark (2/18) was the leading wicket taker for the Tigers and he was well supported by Doug Jones who took 1/13 from a miserly eight-over spell. 

Mt Compass consolidated their spot in the top-six with a low-scoring 28-run win at Willunga. Mt Compass batted first and struggled their way to a total of 113 before being bowled out in the 30th over. Riley Tonkin was the only batsman to pass 15 runs as he top scored with 32 (30 balls). All six Willunga bowlers took wickets with Roger I’Anson (3/13), Fletcher Harding (2/24) and Eddie Last (2/32) leading the way. The Demons looked winners as they reached 5/82 through handy contributions from Harding (23) and Lewis Moss (20), but they collapsed to lose their last 5/3 to be bowled out for just 85. Veteran seam bowler Aaron Dalitz was the hero with 4/12 (6.4), while teenager Jamie Wirth snared 3/18 (8).

Victor Harbor had the bye.

Ladder (after round 10)

Encounter Bay 46, Noarlunga 45, Port Elliot 43, Goolwa 36, Mt Compass 33, Yankalilla 25, McLaren Districts 18, Willunga 6, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 11 (14/2/26 & 21/2/26 - 2 day games)

Port Elliot v Noarlunga 

McLaren Districts v Mt Compass

Victor Harbor v Willunga

Yankalilla v Goolwa

Encounter Bay has the bye