Bridgewater won their second game of the season with an upset nine-wicket victory over Aldgate during round 11 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) on Saturday. The ‘Gaters’ batted first and were off to a good start with Josh Callaghan (29) and Shaun Atkins (28) adding 56 runs for the first wicket. Teenager Charlie Morbey was next man in and he also scored 29 (61 balls), but he had very little support as Aldgate lost their last 7/15 to be bowled out for 114 in the 37th over. Left-arm spinner Justin Summerill was the destroyer with figures of 5/18 from seven overs. Peter Atkins (2/7) and Jarrad Tait (2/17) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Raiders. Bridgewater wasted no time in the run chase as veteran Luke Hoyle smashed a quickfire 78 not out from 56 balls (8 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s), and added 82 runs for the second wicket with Will Fearnhead (21 not out), as the Raiders brought up the win in the 18th over. Morbey was the only wicket taker for Aldgate with 1/61 (5.1). 

It was a game of two collapses as Mylor hosted Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB), with the visitors coming out on top by 15 runs. SCIB batted first and got themselves in a great position at 1/85 as Adam Shearwood (42) and Tom Watton (31) added 65 runs for the second wicket. The loss of Watton precipitated a dramatic collapse of 9/31 with the visitors being dismissed for just 116 in the 41st over. Skipper Michael Warburton was the main destroyer for Mylor with 4/14 (9). He was well supported by Alan Cooper (3/26) and Matthew Steadman (2/21). Mylor were cruising at 1/79 and a second win on the trot seemed a certainty, as Adrian Gaunt (53) and Shane Maslin (22) added 76 for the second wicket. What followed was a stunning collapse as the ‘Pipers’ lost their last nine wickets for just 22 runs to be bowled out in the 28th over for 101. Beau Thomas went through the Mylor tail like a ‘dose of Epsom Salts’ as he snared 5/5 from a devastating spell of 4.5 overs! Aaron Thompson (2/21) and Daniel Desengo (2/29) were the other multiple wicket takers for Scott Creek Ironbank.

Meadows moved up to second spot on the ladder with a hard-fought six-wicket victory over reigning premier Stirling. The Eagles batted first with Daniel ‘Speedy’ Gonzalez and Jack Read adding 69 for the first wicket before Read was dismissed for 41 (42 balls) in the 14th over. Gonzalez continued on to top score with 64 from 78 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6), but he received very little support as Stirling were bowled out in the 41st over for 167. A couple of ‘unsung heroes’ did all the damage for Meadows with Ryan Clarke (4/23) and David Bates (3/31) snaring seven Stirling wickets between them. Brad Louch chimed in with 2/12 (5). Meadows were in early trouble at 2/21, before Luke Tonkin (44) and Marko Kovac (16) combined for a 62-run third wicket partnership. Once Tonkin and Kovac were dismissed, Meadows were on the back foot at 4/95 as veteran Haydn Reid was joined at the crease by Clarke in the 31st over. This pair kept the scoreboard ticking over until five runs were required by the Bulldogs off the last over to win. Scores were level with two balls remaining as Haydn Reid hit a boundary off the penultimate ball of the innings to wrap up a very important victory. Reid finished with 52 not out (69 balls), while Clarke ended up with 23 not out (33 balls). Charlie Fryer took 2/35 for Stirling.

Kangarilla now sit just percentage outside the top-four after a tight seven-run win at home against Uraidla. ‘Kangies’ batted first and posted a solid 6/171 from their 45 overs. Lachlan Knight continued his good season with a top-scoring 55 (94 balls). He received good support from Carlos Venter (25), Ryan Grimmond (25), and Ben Evans (22). Daniel McDonough was the pick of the Uraidla bowlers with figures of 3/23 from seven overs. Uraidla got themselves into a good position as Peter Wilson and Jay Temme (18) put on 68 for the second wicket with the visitors reaching 1/96 in the 30th over until Wilson was dismissed for 63 from 103 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Regular wickets continued to fall with Baxter Knuckey, in his first ‘A’ grade game for the season, claiming 4/24 (9). Grimmond (3/39) and Ben Evans (2/28) were the other multiple wicket takers for Kangarilla as Uraidla finished their 45 overs on 9/164. Jack Purdie, batting at number 10, scored 21 not out (15 balls) for the Demons. 

Mount Lofty had the bye.

Ladder - after round 11

Mount Lofty 42, Meadows 39, Stirling 36, Aldgate 33, Kangarilla 33, Scott Creek Ironbank 30, Bridgewater 21, Uraidla 18, Mylor 12.

Round 12 fixtures (14/1/23) - home team named first

Aldgate v Meadows

Mount Lofty v Bridgewater

Mylor v Kangarilla

Uraidla v Stirling

Scott Creek Ironbank has the bye