Minor premier Encounter Bay reached their first Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) Grand Final in six years after defeating reigning premier Noarlunga by 186 runs in their semi-final at Mount Compass yesterday. Encounter Bay batted first and were in early trouble at 3/42, with opener Jason Parry making 29 (6 x 4’s). Cam Lintern joined Matt Overall at the crease and this proved to be a match-winning partnership. This pair added 322 runs for the fourth wicket before Overall was dismissed for 192 (23 x 4’s, 7 x 6’s). Lintern continued on to score 135 not out (14 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s) as the Bays posted an imposing total of 4/372 from their 70 overs. Travis Bronstein (2/92), Jason Scarff (1/44) and Cam Bullard (1/69) were the wicket takers for the Shoes. Noarlunga started well with Bullard and Bronstein (14) putting on 59 for the first wicket. Bullard top scored with 86 (14 x 4’s), while Jason Scarff (38) and Anthony Tucker (27) chipped in but ultimately the Shoes were bowled out for 186. Overall completed an amazing all-round game with figures of 7/37 from 19 overs. Max Longhurst (1/1), Luke Duffill (1/2) and Blake Bailey (1/37) were the other wicket takers for the Bays. 

Port Elliot won through to their third Grand Final in four years after defeating Willunga by 30 runs in a low-scoring affair at Encounter Bay yesterday. Port Elliot batted first and they struggled throughout their innings before being bowled out for 113 in the 50th over. Skipper Joel Harris was the only Bloods batsman to pass 20 as he top scored with 27 (93 balls). Once again, Simon Roberts was the star with the ball for the Demons with 5/24 (15.5), while Sean McIvor took 2/28 (13). Willunga had 20 overs to bat on day one and finished at 3/39 with Chad Franceschini the last man dismissed before stumps for 26 (44 balls). Port Elliot ‘turned the screws’ on day two as they bowled tightly with Willunga steadily moving along to 3/55. Bloods off-spinner Ben Griffiths then struck three quick blows and Willunga were on the back foot at 6/60. While Roberts was still in, Willunga had a chance but he was running out of partners and eventually he was was the last man dismissed for 17 (65 balls) with the Demons bowled out for just 83. Griffiths was the star for Port Elliot with 5/13 from 13.5 overs, while veteran Simon Donaldson took 2/15 (15). 

Grand Final (16/3/24 & 17/3/24)

Encounter Bay v Port Elliot (Burgess Oval - Mt Compass)