Encounter Bay won their third game in a row after defeating Mt Compass by 116 runs during round eight action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Encounter Bay on Saturday. The home side batted first and were under a bit of pressure when David Schulze (40 off 52 balls) was dismissed with the score at 3/66. Sam Hoffmann then joined skipper Cam Lintern and this pair added 122 for the fourth wicket before Lintern departed for 44 (70). Hoffmann went on to top score with a hard-hitting 98 from 74 balls (10 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s) as the Bays put up 7/222 from their 40 overs. Aaron Dalitz (3/17), Bailey Baldock (2/39) and Riley Tonkin (2/45) were the multiple wicket takers for Mt Compass. The Bulls were never in the run chase as they slumped to 9/46 with James Colley (33) the standout batsman. Number 11 Bailey Baldock joined Aaron Dalitz (8 not out) at the crease with the last pair adding an unbeaten partnership worth 60 runs to see Mt Compass finish on 9/106. Baldock top scored with 40 not out (57 balls). Chris Butler was the standout Encounter Bay bowler with the fine figures of 6/22 from his eight-over spell and he was well supported by Sunny Osmont with 2/9 (6). 

Noarlunga won their fifth game of the season after defeating Yankalilla by 85 runs at Yankalilla. The Shoes batted first with Travis Bronstein (36) and Jamie Diener (27) adding 61 for the second wicket, before three quick wickets fell to see Noarlunga at 4/92. Sean Williams joined former premiership skipper Jason Scarff at the crease and this pair put on 97 before Williams departed for 54 (47). Scarff went on to top score with 69 not out from 78 balls (7 x 4’s) as Noarlunga finished with 6/215. Ash Madden (2/30) and Doug Jones (2/44) were the leading wicket takers for Yankalilla. Williams (4/16) started off well with the ball for the Shoes as he took two wickets in the first over to leave the Tigers reeling at 2/0. Wickets fell steadily throughout the run chase with Yankalilla skipper Aaron Smith providing strong resistance as he scored 76 from 97 balls (10 x 4’s, 1 x 6), but ultimately Yankalilla finished on 9/130 from their 40 overs. Scarff was the other multiple wicket taker for Noarlunga with 2/21 (7). 

Port Elliot remained top of the ladder after a comfortable nine-wicket victory at Willunga on Saturday. Willunga batted first with Dan Hockham (12 not out) and Sammy George (11) the only batsman to reach double figures as they were bowled out for just 67. Seven Port Elliot bowlers took wickets with Levi Stringer (2/12) and Scott Hannam (2/17) leading the way. The Bloods wasted no time in the run chase as they knocked off the target in the 12th over without loss. Ethan Spriggs made 20 not out (29 balls), while Tyson Levy teed-off with 44 not out from 38 balls (2 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s). 

Goolwa won their fifth game on the trot after defeating Victor Harbor by 100 runs at 'Victor' on Saturday. The Magpies batted first with Matt Overall top scoring with 83 from 80 balls (12 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Rory Hanson made 41 from 60 balls (4 x 4’s). Josh Jones (24) and Sam Cuconits (20) made handy contributions as Goolwa posted 7/193 from their 40 overs. Kenny Sumner (2/29) and Sean Medlen (2/48) were the multiple wicket takers for Victor Harbor. The Vipers struggled in the run chase with Harry Steele (35) the only batsman to pass 20 as they were bowled out in the 39th over for 93. Jones continued his stellar season with 4/25 from his eight overs(25 wickets for the season), while Sean McIvor bowled a miserly spell to finish with 2/4 (8).

McLaren Districts had the bye.

Ladder (after round 8)

Port Elliot 37, Goolwa 36, Encounter Bay 34, Noarlunga 33, Yankalilla 25, Mt Compass 21, McLaren Districts 12, Willunga 6, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 9 (31/1/26 - 1 day games)

Encounter Bay v Willunga

Victor Harbor v Noarlunga

McLaren Districts v Port Elliot

Mt Compass v Yankalilla

Goolwa has the bye