Stirling are through to the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) Grand Final after a crushing eight-wicket win over Mt Lofty at Heathfield yesterday. The Redcaps, going for 13 wins in a row, batted first and were left reeling early on as they slumped to 3/13 in the 11th over. Josh Mitchell (19) and Ryan Pistola (12) tried to resurrect the innings, but it was to no avail as the home side were rolled for just 65. Connor McFadyen was the pick of the Stirling bowlers with figures of 4/12 (9), while James Richards (2/11), Chris Shaw (2/15) and Jack Pick (2/18) chipped in with a couple of wickets each. Stirling lost a couple of early wickets in the run chase to be 2/15, before Harrison Webb made a hard hitting 43 not out from 43 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the Eagles reached the target in just the 17th over. Will Healey (2/13) took both wickets for the Redcaps. 

Reigning premier Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) made it five wins on the trot after defeating Mylor by eight wickets at Cherry Gardens in the Elimination Final yesterday to move through to the Preliminary Final against Mt Lofty on Saturday. Mylor batted first and battled their way to a total of 130 before being bowled out in the 45th over. Oliver Barnes (36 off 65 balls) was the only Mylor batsman to pass 15 runs. Five SCIB bowlers took wickets with Daniel Desengo (3/21), Andy Adams (2/22) and Lachlan Knight (2/25) leading the way. Inform SCIB opening pair Adam Shearwood and Aaron Thompson started well with a 68-run stand before Thompson went for 36 (58 balls). Shearwood continued on to top score with 62 from 89 balls (10 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Lachlan Knight chipped in with 27 not out (24 balls) as the target was reached in the 29th over.

Preliminary Final (22/3/25)

Mt Lofty v Scott Creek Ironbank (Heathfield)