Willunga moved to the top of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Port Elliot by 36 runs during round nine action at Port Elliot on Saturday. It was the first loss of the season for the Bloods. The Demons were in early trouble at 2/7 before Shaun Anderson (20) steadied the innings with Simon Roberts. Roberts received solid support from Rory Hanson (22) and Sean Mcivor (17 not out) as Willunga posted 7/156 from their 40 overs. Roberts eventually top scored with a run-a-ball 67 that included seven boundaries and two sixes. Simon Donaldson (2/27), Harrison Grenfell (2/29) and Josh Andrewartha (2/43) were the leading wicket takers for the Bloods. Port Elliot also got off to a poor start as they slipped to 2/15 with left-arm seamer Finlay Seers claiming both wickets. Skipper Joel Harris combined with Brayden Arbon (20) to resurrect the innings, with Harris top scoring with 49 (4 x 4’s), but ultimately Port Elliot were bowled out for 120. Seers was the standout bowler for Willunga with 5/31 (7.4) and he was well supported by Roberts (2/13), Luke Harding (1/12) and McIvor (1/19). 

Goolwa moved inside the top-6 with a 60-run win against Myponga-Sellicks at Myponga. Goolwa batted first and it was tough going for the first half of the innings with the Mudlarks bowling tightly. Goolwa skipper Sam Carlyle and Andy Evans combined for a 46-run second wicket stand before Evans departed for 22. Vic Robertson then joined Carlyle in an innings-defining partnership worth 73 runs as Carlyle made 52, while Robertson made his best score of the season with 65 not out. On a slow outfield, Goolwa’s total of 4/164 would be very hard to chase down and so it proved. The Mudlarks were never really in the run chase with Kobe Dooley the only batsman to pass 20 as he top scored with 36. Ryan Haverty (18) and Michael Tomlinson (17) made handy contributions as Myponga-Sellicks were bowled out for 104 in the 39th over. Five Magpies bowlers took wickets including Shaun Burger (3/17), Jayden Crees (2/11), Evans (2/15) and Tajinder Singh (2/15). 

Yankalilla won their third game of the season following a comfortable 75-run win at home against McLaren Districts. Yankalilla batted first with Travis Bartlett (26) and Aaron Smith (25) getting their side off to a fast start. The rest of the innings was dominated by the in-form Luke Bartlett. Bartlett anchored the innings to top score with 94 from 100 balls (10 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) before being dismissed in the final over as the Tigers posted a very competitive total of 8/192. Left-armer George Beard was the best of the Crushers bowlers with figures of 3/16 (8). Michael Schofield (2/64) was the other multiple wicket taker for McLaren Districts. The Crushers were under early pressure as James Kerin (2/16) reduced them to 2/4. Stephen Nairn (29), Luke Goodieson (24), Justin Twartz (23) and Charl Van Wyk (23) battled hard but ultimately the visitors were bowled out for 117 in the 31st over. Smith (3/23), Scott Wilson (2/6) and Doug Jones (2/23) were the other wicket takers for the Tigers. 

Encounter Bay consolidated third spot on the ladder with a big 178-run win against Victor Harbor. The Bays batted first and posted 5/206 from their 40 overs. Jason Parry top scored with 52 from 91 balls (5 x 4’s), while Matt Overall continued his excellent season with 50 from 41 balls (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Cam Lintern 33 (30 balls) and Finn Magor 30 not out (30 balls) made good contributions to the big total. Lachlan Hywood was the best of the Vipers’ bowlers with 2/25 (8). Victor Harbor were in trouble from the start of their innings with Kenny Sumner (10) the sole Vipers batsman to reach double figures. All six Encounter Bay bowlers took wickets with Zac Thompson (3/9), Chris Butler (2/5) and Luke Crichton (2/10) leading the way with 'Victor' being bowled out for just 28.

Noarlunga won their fifth game of the season with a comfortable nine-wicket victory against Mt Compass on the turf at Burgess Oval. The Bulls batted first and put up 8/145 from their 40 overs. A number of ‘Compass’ batsmen got starts without going on to a big score including Ethan Anderson (27), Jamarley Daley (24), Josh Murfitt (23), James Colley (22) and Josh Dalitz (21). Travis Bronstein was the leading wicket taker for the Shoes with 4/40 (8). Jason Scarff (2/21), Vinnie Wright (1/17) and Chad Parrish (1/36) were the other wicket takers. Noarlunga got off to a fast start with Travis Bronstein (23) and Cam Bullard adding 78 runs for the first wicket inside 13 overs. Anthony Tucker (13 not out) joined Bullard to add 68 runs for the second wicket as the winning runs came up in the 22nd over. Bullard continued his excellent season to finish on 100 not out from just 70 balls. His innings included 19 boundaries and two sixes. Mt Compass skipper Aaron Dalitz (1/30) was the sole wicket taker for the Bulldogs. 

Ladder (after round 9)

Willunga 46, Port Elliot 42, Encounter Bay 39, Noarlunga 36, Mt Compass 27, Goolwa 24, Yankalilla 24, McLaren Districts 21, Myponga-Sellicks 12, Victor Harbor 3.

Round 10 fixtures (1 day games - 20/1/24)

Noarlunga v Encounter Bay

Goolwa v Port Elliot

McLaren Districts v Myponga-Sellicks

Willunga v Mt Compass

Victor Harbor v Yankalilla