Meadows moved up to second spot on the ladder following their comfortable 74-run win over Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) during round eight action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Meadows yesterday. The home side batted first with Luke Tonkin (36) and Oscar Tydeman (30) adding 75 for the first wicket, before Rohan Reid top scored with 75 (74 balls). Handy contributions from Bailey Hague (28) and Haydn Reid (24) lifted the Bulldogs to 6/226 from their 45 overs. Aaron Thompson (2/40) and Daniel Key (2/52) were the leading wicket takers for SCIB. The run chase started in disastrous fashion for Scott Creek Ironbank as they slumped to 4/28 in the 14th over. Ethan Dinning (20) and Matthew Dunn (17) battled hard, but it was Stuart Norton who held the innings together with an unbeaten 66 (72). Norton’s innings was in vain however, as SCIB were bowled out in the 36th over for 152. Ryan Sawtell (3/40) and Callum Teakle (2/41) were the multiple wicket takers for Meadows. 

Mt Lofty moved up to third spot with a five-wicket victory over Aldgate at Heathfield Oval on Saturday. Batting first, Aldgate were under early pressure at 1/0, before skipper Josh Callaghan (30) joined Mitch Thomas in an 86-run second-wicket stand. Thomas went on to make his third ‘A’ grade century, bringing up the milestone in the final over, before being dismissed for 100 from 133 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as Aldgate posted 9/190 from their 45 overs. Anthony Jennings was the pick of the Redcaps bowlers with 4/26 from his nine overs, while Adam Carthew took 2/30 (9). Mt Lofty were in early trouble at 2/37, but Josh Mitchell steadied the ship with 48 (59), however when the fifth wicket fell with 53 runs still required for victory, the game was in the balance. Skipper Josh Healey was joined by Tim Noble (21 not out) as this pair put on an unbroken sixth-wicket stand worth 53 runs as the target was reached in the 43rd over. Healey went on to top score with 76 not out (91). Matt Hansen (2/28) was the pick of the Aldgate bowlers. 

The game between Stirling and Uraidla was abandoned due to the wet pitch and outfield. 

Kangarilla had the bye.

Ladder (after round 8)

Stirling 20, Meadows 16, Mt Lofty 14, Scott Creek Ironbank 12, Aldgate 8, Kangarilla 8, Uraidla 6. 

Round 9 (6/12/25 - home team named first)

Kangarilla v Uraidla

Scott Creek Ironbank v Mt Lofty

Aldgate v Stirling

Meadows has the bye