Encounter Bay took the honours on day one of their match against Port Elliot during round 10 action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Encounter Bay on Saturday. The Bays are 0/34 at stumps with Dennis Rice (18 n.o.) and Jason Parry (16 n.o.) at the crease. They are in pursuit of Port Elliot’s first innings total of 116 with a win giving the Bays a shot at the double chance in the finals. The visitors batted first and were in early trouble as they slumped to 3/15 and then 7/58 just before the tea break. Port Elliot skipper Brodie Whitbourne (21) was the only top order batsman to reach double figures. Some lower order resistance from Riley Paull (25), Liam Harris (21) and Harry Grenfell (11 n.o.) lifted the Bloods to 116 before they were bowled out in the 58th over. Blake Bailey (3/31), Simon Acheson (2/9) and Dillon Burns (2/22) were the chief wicket takers with the ball for Encounter Bay. 

Noarlunga are locked in a tight tussle with Goolwa in their match at Old Noarlunga after day one was dominated by the bowlers. Goolwa did an excellent job to bowl the Shoes out for 125 in the 65th over before facing a tricky five-over period to end the day. The Magpies lost two wickets in their second over to Noarlunga skipper Jason Scarff (2/0) to finish the day at 2/3. Earlier, Tyron Rigney took the first six wickets to fall en route to the excellent figures of 6/34 (18). It was Rigney’s first ‘A’ grade five-wicket haul. Anthony Burgess (27), Jason Scarff (21), Matthew Ray (17) and 16 year-old debutant, Travis Bronstein (16 not out) battled hard for the home side. James Lawrence, in just his second ‘A’ grade game for the season, snared 3/32 from 19 tight overs of left-arm orthodox bowling. 

A half century to McLaren Districts’ Daniel Petrucci and a seven-wicket haul for Willunga’s Simon Roberts, were the standout performances on day one at Willunga Oval. McLaren Districts batted first and made 129 before being bowled out in the 69th over. The Crushers innings was dominated by Petrucci who finished with 54 from 138 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6), his first half century of the season. He was well supported by a patient Ben Wilcox (21 from 81 balls). Unfortunately for the visitors, only two other batsmen reached double figures in Luke Goodieson (13) and Josh van den Broeke (11). Roberts was the star again for the Demons as he took 7/31 (23.1). It was Roberts’ third five-wicket haul of the season and he now has 32 wickets at an average of 6.22 in 2020/21. Joe Last (1/4), Joel Docking (1/22) and Luke Harding (1/23) were the other wicket takers for Willunga.