Port Elliot has gone to the top of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder following their 38-run win at Encounter Bay during round 11 action on Saturday. The game was played as a one-day match due to day one being washed out. Port Elliot batted first with Hayden Gordge (26) and Liam Harris (18) adding 31 for the first wicket. After that partnership, regular wickets fell as the Bloods were reduced to 5/59, before David Ling joined skipper Joel Harris at the crease. This pair added a crucial 39-run stand before Ling went for 28 (31 balls). Harris continued on to top score with a patient 41 (82 balls), as his side posted 134 from their 40 overs. Blake Bailey (4/41), Chris Butler (4/41) and Dillon Burns (2/15) were the wicket takers for the Bays. The home side were in early trouble in the run chase as they slid to 5/29 with Port Elliot’s Harrison Grenfell (3/8) doing the damage. Encounter Bay skipper Bailey battled hard to top score with 27 (63 balls), but it was to no avail as his side were bowled out for 96 in the 36th over. Other wicket takers for Port Elliot included Ben Griffiths (3/15) and Simon Donaldson (2/22).

McLaren Districts defeated Noarlunga by three wickets on Saturday to confirm their finals spot for 2022/23. Noarlunga posted a competitive 4/209 on day one so the Crushers were going to have to bat well to chase the total down. Noarlunga looked in the box seat with the Crushers struggling at 4/78 before Anthony Natale joined his skipper Luke Goodieson at the crease. This pair added 42 runs for the fifth wicket before Goodieson was dismissed for 60 (126 balls). Natale then put on 27 runs for the sixth wicket with Mark Elphick (16), but when Elphick departed, McLaren Districts were in strife at 6/147, still 63 runs short of victory. Former skipper Stephen Nairn and Natale then put on a match-winning stand of 62 runs for the seventh wicket, with Nairn dismissed with the scores level in the penultimate over. Keith Schofield (2 not out) hit the winning runs with eight balls to spare as Natale finished unbeaten on 43 (85 balls). David Scarff (2/45) and Cam Bullard (2/57) were the chief wicket takers for the Shoes. 

Yankalilla won their fourth game of the season with a convincing 169-run victory over Mount Compass at Burgess Oval. The game was washed out on day one so was played as a one-day match on Saturday. ‘Yank’ batted first and put up a sizeable total of 4/266 from their 40 overs. Luke Bartlett continued his excellent season as he top scored with 93. He was ably supported by brother Travis (73), Aaron Smith (51 not out) and Dougie Jones (29). Mount Compass were bowled out for just 97 with Scott Wilson (2/4), Ashley Madden (2/19), Luke Bartlett (2/20) and Connor Sullivan (2/20) the leading wicket takers for the Tigers.

Willunga recorded their second win in a row after defeating Goolwa in a nail-biting affair at Goolwa Oval. Set 159 to win, Willunga passed the total eight wickets down with seven overs to spare. After being in early trouble at 3/28, the innings was dominated by gun Demons all-rounder Simon Roberts. Roberts, who is having another outstanding season, made 86 with his innings including eight boundaries and three sixes. Roberts now has 395 runs and 31 wickets for the season. The game ebbed and flowed all day and when Roberts was dismissed with the score at 7/137, the door was slightly ajar for Goolwa to take the win. Skipper Daniel Hockham, for the second week in a row, stepped up with an important knock of 14 not out to see his side over the line. Goolwa skipper Jayden Crees was the main wicket taker for his side with 4/84.

Myponga-Sellicks booked their spot in the finals with a comprehensive innings and 25 run victory over bottom side Aldinga. It’s been an excellent effort from the Mudlarks so far in 2022/23 after competing in ‘B’ grade ranks for the past three seasons. Myponga-Sellicks resumed their first innings on Saturday at 1/62 in reply to Aldinga’s total of 88, and moved along to 8/157 before declaring with a lead of 69 runs. Sean Haverty top scored with 45, while Cam Turner (22) and Ryan Haverty (21) made handy contributions. Tim Robinson (2/15) and Matthew Inglis (2/59) were the main wicket takers for Aldinga. Batting a second time, Aldinga were bowled out for just 44. Ryan Haverty (2/2), Ben Hutchinson (2/7) and Vince Nizzola (2/7) were the leading wicket takers for the Mudlarks. 

Ladder - after round 11

Port Elliot 58, Goolwa 58, McLaren Districts 49, Noarlunga 43, Myponga-Sellicks 40, Encounter Bay 37, Willunga 30, Yankalilla 27, Mount Compass 12, Aldinga 0.

Round 12 fixtures (2-day games - home team named first)

Port Elliot v Goolwa

Willunga v Noarlunga

Yankalilla v Myponga-Sellicks

McLaren Districts v Encounter Bay

Aldinga v Mount Compass