Willunga has raced up to third spot on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Mt Compass outright by an innings and 13 runs during round three action at Burgess Oval on Saturday. Willunga declared their first innings at their overnight score of 7/164 to take a 62-run lead into day two. Batting a second time, Mt Compass were bowled out for just 49 inside 29 overs with Nilanga Fernando (13) their only batsman to reach double figures. All five Willunga bowlers took wickets with Simon Roberts (3/17), Finlay Seers (2/6), Daniel Hockham (2/7) and Sean McIvor (2/11) leading the way.  

Encounter Bay maintained their undefeated start to the season with a comprehensive 132-run win against reigning premier Noarlunga. Defending their handy first innings total of 9/188, Encounter Bay ripped through the Shoes batting lineup, bowling them out before the tea break for just 56. David Scarff (11) was the only Noarlunga batsman to reach double figures. Encounter Bay skipper Blake Bailey led the way with the ball, snaring 4/22 (9.3) and he was well supported by Matt Overall (3/9) and Chris Butler (2/13). 

Port Elliot are also undefeated after three rounds after beating Goolwa by 101 runs at Port Elliot on Saturday. Port Elliot posted an imposing 9/266 on day one which proved too much for Goolwa who were bowled out in the 66th over for 165. Fred Nissen (57) and skipper Sam Carlyle (50) added 70 for the fourth wicket and were the standout performers for the Magpies. Port Elliot used seven bowlers with teenager Levi Stringer (3/26), Luke Collett (2/22) and Ben Griffiths (2/27) the multiple wicket takers. 

McLaren Districts won their first game of the season following a 91-run win against Myponga-Sellicks. The Crushers posted a very good score of 5/258 on day one and were confident of notching their first victory on Saturday. The Mudlarks were soon under pressure at 5/43 with Keith Schofield taking four of the first five wickets on his way to figures of 5/39 from 16 overs. It looked like an early finish but Matthew Franceschini (44), Ryan Haverty (31), Kobe Dooley (23) and Dylan Lane (19) battled hard to lift their side to a total of 167. Other wicket takers for the Crushers included Roy Graham (2/32), Jett Holberton (2/51) and Stephen Nairn (1/19).

Yankalilla won their second game in a row after defeating Victor Harbor by seven wickets at Yankalilla on Saturday. ‘Victor’ were defending their day one score of 8/157 and Yankalilla attacked hard to knock off the total before declaring at 3/181 after just 27 overs with a lead of 24 runs. Leading the charge for the Tigers with the bat were Joe Tyllis with 63 (7 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), Luke Bartlett (57 not out) and Doug Jones (30). Batting a second time, Victor Harbor finished on 1/36 after 27 overs as the teams called an early end to proceedings. Josh Boyko top scored with 24 not out from 77 balls (3 x 4’s) for the Vipers.

Ladder (after round 3)

Encounter Bay 18, Port Elliot 18, Willunga 16, Yankalilla 12, Mt Compass 12, McLaren Districts 6, Myponga-Sellicks 6, Noarlunga 6, Goolwa 0, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 4 fixtures (two-day games)

Noarlunga v Myponga-Sellicks

McLaren Districts v Mt Compass

Willunga v Yankalilla

Goolwa v Encounter Bay

Victor Harbor v Port Elliot