Encounter Bay is on top of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Willunga by 109 runs during round two action yesterday at Encounter Bay. The Bays batted first and were under early pressure with both openers back in the shed and the score sitting at a precarious 2/6. The innings was resurrected as Matt Overall joined Sam Hoffmann to add 67 runs for the third wicket before Overall was dismissed for 28 (32 balls). Hoffmann went on to make 54 from 88 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Finn Magor (54 not out) and Cam Lintern (26) put on 51 runs for the fifth wicket as Encounter Bay posted 5/174 from their 40 overs. Willunga skipper Luke Harding picked up 2/25 (7) to be the best of the Demons bowlers. Harding (22) and Rory Hanson (13) were the only Willunga batsmen to reach double figures as the visitors were bundled out for just 65. Five Encounter Bay bowlers took wickets including Overall (3/10), Kieran Garrett (2/4), Zac Thompson (2/11) and Riely Williams (2/18).

Port Elliot is also undefeated after two rounds following their five-wicket win at home against McLaren Districts yesterday. The visitors were sent in by Port Elliot with Daniel Bruce (30) and Ben Worrall (28) the best of the Crushers batsmen as their side was bowled out in the 32nd over for 103. Josh Andewartha (3/32), Simon Donaldson (2/7) and Scott Hannam (2/13) were the multiple wicket takers for the Bloods. Port Elliot knocked off the runs in the 26th over with Ben Griffiths (31) and Ethan Spriggs (28) the best of the batsmen, while Keith Schofield picked up 3/16 (5) for McLaren Districts.

Yankalilla won their first game for the season after defeating Myponga-Sellicks by 23 runs. Yankalilla won the toss and decided to bat first with vice-captain Luke Bartlett top scoring with 66. Bartlett got good support from Tom Bennett (31) and David Barnes (20) as the Tigers posted a competitive 6/152 from their 40 overs. Ryan Haverty with 2/15 from eight overs was the pick of the Mudlarks bowlers. Myponga-Sellicks got themselves to 1/58 with Sean Haverty (32) and Ryan Haverty (18) adding 49 runs for the second wicket. Yankalilla hit back through Bartlett (2/19), Aaron Smith (2/21) and Lachlan Whittlesea (2/28) as the Mudlarks came up short on 7/129 from their allotted 40 overs. Michael Tomlinson top scored for the Mudlarks with 34 not out. 

Mount Compass continued their perfect start to the season after a solid seven-wicket win at Victor Harbor. Mount Compass won the toss and decided to bowl first and the move paid off with the Vipers bowled out for 115. Harrison Medlen (25), Tim Watson (19) and Lachlan Hywood (16) were the leading run scorers for ‘Victor’. Josh Dalitz (3/22) and Aaron Dalitz (2/15) were the best of the Mount Compass bowlers. The Bulls were relatively untroubled in the run chase as Ethan Anderson (40), Rilee Endersby (28), Paul Barrett (23) and Matthew East (19 not out) were the leading batsmen for Mount Compass as the winning runs came up in the 36th over. 

Reigning premier Noarlunga got their first win of the season with a hard-fought eight-run win at Goolwa. Noarlunga batted first and were in early trouble at 2/14. Jason Scarff joined Matthew Spaan and this pair steadied the ship with a 34-run stand for the third wicket before Spaan went for 14. Anthony Tucker (20) joined Scarff to put on 64 runs for the fourth wicket before Scarff went for a fine 69 (7 x 4’s), as the Shoes finished on 6/141. Jayden Crees took 4/35 (8), while Andy Evans bowled a restrictive spell of 1/15 from his eight overs. Goolwa started their run chase brightly with three early boundaries before Noarlunga struck back with three quick wickets to have Goolwa in trouble at 3/20. Evans was batting patiently as Scarff completed his spell with figures of 1/7 (8). Evans found an ally in Jake Kuss and this pair added 63 runs for the fourth wicket before Kuss went for 25. Evans went next for 38 as regular wickets fell as Goolwa finished on 9/133 off their 40 overs. Cam Bullard (3/23) and 15 year-old debutant Sammy George (2/16) were the multiple wicket takers for Noarlunga. 

Ladder (after round 2)

Encounter Bay 12, Mount Compass 12, Port Elliot 12, Myponga-Sellicks 6, Noarlunga 6, Yankalilla 6, Willunga 6, Goolwa 0, Victor Harbor 0, McLaren Districts 0.

Round 3 fixtures (two-day games)

Encounter Bay v Noarlunga

Port Elliot v Goolwa

Myponga-Sellicks v McLaren Districts

Mount Compass v Willunga

Yankalilla v Victor Harbor