Mt Compass jumped into the finals after defeating Victor Harbor outright by seven wickets during the final round of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Burgess Oval on Saturday. ‘Compass’ started day two on 3/108, just nine runs behind the Vipers’ first innings total of 117, and they declared at 3/126 with Jamarley Daley (48) and Matthew East (45 not out) the leading run scorers. Victor Harbor struggled in their second innings as they were bowled out for 87 in the 43rd over. Matthew Hutchinson (22) was the only player to pass 20 for the Vipers, while Aaron Dalitz (3/16) and Bailey Baldock (3/17) were the best of the Bulls bowlers. This left Mt Compass needing just 79 runs for an outright victory and a spot in the finals. Daley (38) and Josh Murfitt (37 not out) made light work of the target as the winning runs came up after 16 overs of the second innings. 

Encounter Bay claimed the minor premiership with a six-wicket win against Willunga on Saturday. The Bays bowled Willunga out for 86 on the first day and were struggling at 6/60 themselves before getting through to stumps on 6/67. On Saturday, Chris Butler (10 not out) and Luke Crichton (9 not out) continued their partnership to 27 runs to see their side home with four wickets spare. Cam Lintern (21) top scored for the Bays, while Dan Hockham (2/11), Sean McIvor (2/28) and Simon Roberts (2/31) were the wicket takers for Willunga. 

Port Elliot jumped up to second place, and earned themselves a week off, with a 24-run victory against McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale. McLaren Districts were searching for their first win since December as they set about chasing down the Bloods’ day one total of 8/231. The Crushers made a good fist of the run chase as they reached 2/145 through an excellent 97-run stand between Jim Ryan and Justin Twartz. Ryan top scored with 69 (139 balls), while Twartz made 58 (77 balls). Once that partnership was broken, Port Elliot took over to claim 8/62 and dismiss the Crushers for 207. Veteran opening bowler Simon Donaldson was the star for Port Elliot with 6/44 from 17.4 overs. It was Donaldson’s second five-wicket haul of the season. Josh Andrewartha (2/75) was the other multiple wicket taker for Port Elliot. 

Reigning premier Noarlunga had a comfortable eight-wicket win against Goolwa at Old Noarlunga to finish the minor round in fourth spot. The Shoes bowled Goolwa out for 137 on day one and they got off to a good start in the run chase on Saturday with Cam Bullard making 43 (7 x 4’s) in an opening stand worth 55 runs. Two wickets fell at this score as Goolwa pushed hard for more breakthroughs in the first session. Anthony Tucker (29 not out) joined Jason Scarff in an 83-run unbroken third-wicket stand to get the Shoes home with 16 overs to spare. Scarff top scored with 51 not out (7 x 4’s). James Lawrence (1/23) and Josh Jones (1/27) were the wicket takers for the Magpies. 

Myponga-Sellicks won their third game in a row to end the season after defeating Yankalilla by 28 runs in a low-scoring game at Myponga. Yankalilla resumed day two on 2/13 in pursuit of the Mudlarks’ first innings total of 99. Joe Tyllis (31) and Luke Bartlett (29) made almost all of the Tigers score as they were bowled out for just 71. Ryan Haverty was the standout bowler for the Mudlarks with 5/17 from 14 overs, while skipper Sean Haverty snared 2/5 (3). 

Ladder (after round 12)

Encounter Bay 61, Port Elliot 54, Willunga 52, Noarlunga 48, Mt Compass 37, Yankalilla 36, Goolwa 30, Myponga-Sellicks 30, McLaren Districts 21, Victor Harbor 3.

Elimination Final fixtures (home side named first - 2/3/24 & 3/3/24)

Willunga v Yankalilla (Burgess Oval - Mt Compass)

Noarlunga v Mt Compass (Encounter Bay Oval)