Meadows are right in finals calculations following their comprehensive 124-run win at Kangarilla during round 14 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) on Saturday. The visitors batted first with Luke Tonkin and Dylan Brown adding 88 for the first wicket before Tonkin was dismissed for 29 (76 balls). Brown went on to top score with 61 from 66 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Rohan Reid made 48 from 65 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as Meadows put up 4/200 from their 45 overs. Kangarilla were never in the run chase as they were bowled out for 76 in the 33rd over. Joel Stidston (24) and Jono Makai (13) were the only batsmen to reach double figures for ‘Kangies’. Five Meadows bowlers took wickets with Rohan Reid (2/8), David Bates (2/20) and Luke Tonkin (2/28) leading the way. 

Reigning premier Stirling won a crucial contest against fellow finals aspirant Mylor by 37 runs to keep their dreams of a ‘3-peat’ alive. Stirling were sent in to bat by the Pipers and were in all sorts of trouble as they slumped to 6/64 with Connor McFadyen (33) the only top-6 batsman to make an impact. Charlie Fryer dug in for the Eagles, combining with Ezekiel Hemming (10) to add an important 34 runs for the ninth wicket as Stirling reached 124 before being bowled out in the 39th over. Fryer top scored with 35 from 57 balls (2 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Thomas Jensen snared 4/23 from his nine-over spell, while Oliver Barnes took 3/23 (9). Mylor struggled from the start in the run chase as they crashed to 6/37 with Hemming claiming career-best figures of 5/25 from 7.2 overs. He was well supported by McFadyen (2/16) and Chris Shaw (2/17) as Mylor were bowled out for 87 in the 36th over. 

Aldgate and Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) played out a thrilling tie at Aldgate Oval on Saturday with both sides being bowled out for 159. SCIB batted first with Aaron Thompson continuing his excellent season top scoring with 49 (71 balls). Adam Shearwood (35) and Thomas Watton (23) made handy contributions but SCIB lost their last 4/4 to be bowled out in the 45th over. Jack Woollard was the standout bowler for Aldgate with 4/23 (9), while Shaun Atkins took 2/20 (4.1). Aldgate got themselves into a winning position with Mitch Thomas (40) and Josh Callaghan (23) lifting their side to 4/105, before a collapse of 5/40 saw the Gaters needing 15 runs to win with just one wicket in hand. Luke Smet was doing a good job for Aldgate as he hit a six to bring the scores level. Next ball, Smet got a short ball but could only hit it to short cover where he was caught as the game ended in a tie. Smet made 29 (40 balls), while Ethan Dinning (4/28) and Daniel Key (4/30) were the destroyers for Scott Creek Ironbank. 

Mt Lofty stayed top of the ladder with a comfortable six-wicket win at Bridgewater. The Raiders batted first with Ty Watson (20) the only top order batsman to reach double figures. Caleb Risson (23), Peter Atkins (21) and Anthony Jennings (21) helped lift Bridgewater to a total of 127. Peter Giannes bowled an excellent spell to finish with 4/15 (9). He was ably supported by Adam Carthew (2/13), Will Healey (2/29) and Max Hawke (2/32). The Redcaps got off to a rough start in the run chase with both openers back in the shed with the score at 2/20. Josh Mitchell (20) joined Jordan Neis-Beer to add 41 runs for the third wicket, before Carthew and Neis-Beer put on 55 for the fourth wicket as Mt Lofty won with more than eight overs to spare. Neis-Beer continued his excellent season with 61 (8 x 4’s), while Carthew made 25 not out (2 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Liam Risson (2/11) was the standout bowler for Bridgewater. 

Ladder (after round 14)

Mt Lofty 54, Scott Creek Ironbank 51, Aldgate 45, Stirling 42, Mylor 42, Kangarilla 42, Meadows 36, Bridgewater 24.

Round 15 fixtures (home team named first)

Aldgate v Meadows

Kangarilla v Mylor

Bridgewater v Scott Creek Ironbank

Mt Lofty v Stirling