Encounter Bay pulled off a 15-run win over Noarlunga in their first game of the season during round two action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Encounter Bay yesterday. The Bays batted first and were in all sorts of trouble as they slumped to 6/37 with Noarluga opening bowler Sean Williams starring with 5/12 from his eight overs. Paul Fantasia (26) and debutant Sunshine Osmont (46) came together in a crucial seventh-wicket partnership worth 76 runs to help lift their side to a competitive total of 122. Cam Bullard (2/8) and Jason Scarff (2/21) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Shoes. Noarlunga got themselves into a good position at 2/56 in the run chase with Jamie Diener making a quickfire 30 (14 balls), before a middle order collapse saw the Bays back in the game with the visitors struggling at 7/77. Michael Ledgard (19 not out) and Scarff (19) added 24 runs for the eighth wicket, but ultimately the Shoes were bowled out in the 37th over for 107. All five Encounter Bay bowlers took wickets with Blake Bailey (3/35), Chris Butler (2/5), Kieran Garrett (2/22) and Lachlan Barrett (2/25) leading the way. 

Port Elliot won their first game of the season with a comfortable six-wicket win at home against Goolwa. Goolwa batted first with their innings dominated by skipper Matt Overall who made 100 from 100 balls (15 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Rory Hanson chipped in with 34 (54 balls) as the Magpies made a total of 179 before being bowled out in the 40th over. Ben Griffiths (3/26), Scott Hannam (2/17) and Ben Martin (2/33) were the pick of the bowlers for Port Elliot. The Bloods got off to the worst possible start with opener Ethan Spriggs dismissed first ball of the innings by Josh Jones (1/41). Jaspa Tonkin (45) was joined by skipper Joel Harris in a 101-run second wicket stand to put their side on top. Harris went on to top score with 74 not out from 106 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6), and he received useful support from Griffiths (19) and Patrick Dodd (23 not out) as the winning runs came up with 29 balls to spare. 

Mt Compass are on top of the ladder following their second win to start the season, this time by 64 runs over Victor Harbor at ‘Victor’. Mt Compass batted first and posted a competitive total of 184 before being bowled out on the 40th over. It was a good team batting performance from the Bulls with Shannon Jones (46), Ethan Anderson (28), Aaron Dalitz (24) and Robert Martin (20) all passing 20. All six Vipers bowlers took wickets with Lachlan Hywood (3/32), Ken Sumner (2/31) and Josh Boyko (2/32) the leading wicket takers. Victor Harbor were never really in the run chase as they finished their innings on 7/120 with Saubhagya Lamichhane top scoring with 41 (55 balls). Jones (2/11) and Riley Tonkin (2/20) were the multiple wicket takers for Mt Compass. 

McLaren Districts won their first game of the season with a tight 19-run win against local rivals Willunga. The Crushers batted first with Zac Hodges carrying his bat through the innings to finish with 80 not out (113 balls), while skipper Justin Twartz made 40 (49) as McLaren Districts posted 6/168. Brayden Pansini (2/20) was the pick of the Demons bowlers. Willunga were in trouble at 4/53 in the run chase, before Joe George (45) and Fletcher Harding (28) put on 56 for the fifth wicket. However, the Demons lost their last 6/40 to be bowled out in the 37th over for 149. Evan Clark took 4/33 (7), while Hodges completed a fine all-round double with figures of 3/17 (6). 

Yankalilla had the bye.

Ladder (after round 2)

Mt Compass 12, Noarlunga 6, Willunga 6, Encounter Bay 6, Port Elliot 6, Goolwa 6, McLaren Districts 6, Victor Harbor 0, Yankalilla 0.

Round 3 (25/10/25 & 1/11/25 - 2 day games)

Encounter Bay v Port Elliot

Goolwa v Noarlunga

Mt Compass v Willunga

McLaren Districts v Yankalilla 

Victor Harbor has the bye