Encounter Bay moved to the top of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating McLaren Districts outright by an innings and 77 runs during round 11 action at Encounter Bay on Saturday. The Bays were defending their day one total of 225, while the Crushers needed a win to keep their finals hopes alive. Encounter Bay’s opening bowler Luke Crichton took his first five-wicket haul for the club with figures of 5/25 as McLaren Districts were bowled out for 94 inside 32 overs. Kieran Garrett (2/14) and Matt Overall (2/19) were the other wicket takers for the Bays, while Jim Ryan (40) and Stephen Nairn (21) were the leading run scorers for the visitors. Encounter Bay enforced the follow on with McLaren Districts faring even worse in their second dig as they were bowled out for just 54. Lachlan Cooper (12) and Jett Holberton (11) were the only players to reach double figures, while the wickets were shared for the Bays with Cam Lintern (2/1), Crichton (2/6), Max Longhurst (2/8) and Blake Bailey (2/15) leading the way.

Cam Bullard’s third century of the season fired Noarlunga to a comfortable six-wicket win against Port Elliot on Saturday. Chasing the Bloods’ solid first innings total of 196, Bullard made 125 from 132 balls (17 x 4’s, 1 x 6) and put on 166 for the first wicket with Travis Bronstein (39 from 113 balls). Port Elliot battled it out with Scott Hannam (2/14) and Harry Grenfell (2/29) sharing the wickets as the Shoes passed the total with more than 12 overs to spare.

Goolwa moved inside the top-six with a six-wicket win against Willunga at Goolwa. The Magpies resumed at 1/23 in pursuit of Willunga’s first innings total of 94 with Fred Nissen and Jack Ward at the crease. Both these batsmen were dismissed early on day two as Goolwa slipped to 3/30 with Simon Roberts (2/26) and Finlay Seers (1/23) taking the wickets. Vic Robertson (29 not out) and Andy Evans (13) added 45 for the fourth wicket to steady the ship and lead their side to victory. Luke Harding (1/6) was the other wicket taker for the Demons.

Yankalilla consolidated their spot in the top-six with a 43-run win at home against Mount Compass. ‘Compass’ resumed at 1/36 in reply to Yankalilla’s day one total of 193 with Paul Barrett and Josh Murfitt at the crease. Barrett made 30, while Matthew East made 37, but no Bulls batsman could go on to the big score needed as they were bowled out for 150. Scott Wilson (3/17), Aaron Smith (2/20) and Chris Clark (2/21) were the multiple wicket takers for the Tigers. 

Myponga-Sellicks won their third game of the season with a low-scoring four-wicket win against Victor Harbor. The Mudlarks bowled ‘Victor’ out for 99 on day one and got through to stumps at 4/65. The Vipers grabbed a couple of wickets early on day two but James Paterson (36) and Ryan Haverty (29 not out) got their side over the line at 6/101. Lachlan Hywood (2/16), Kenny Sumner (1/7), Sean Medlen (1/25) and Harry Medlen (1/35) were the wicket takers for Victor Harbor.  

Ladder (after round 11)

Encounter Bay 55, Willunga 52, Port Elliot 48, Noarlunga 42, Yankalilla 36, Goolwa 30, Mt Compass 27, Myponga-Sellicks 24, McLaren Districts 21, Victor Harbor 3.

Round 12 fixtures (home side named first - 17/2/24 & 24/2/24)

McLaren Districts v Port Elliot

Myponga-Sellicks v Yankalilla

Mt Compass v Victor Harbor

Willunga v Encounter Bay

Noarlunga v Goolwa