Encounter Bay has remained undefeated and sits on top of the GSCA ‘A’ Grade ladder after grinding out a 32-run home win against Port Elliot on Saturday. The visitors won the toss and sent the home side in and the move paid immediate dividends with Encounter Bay finding itself under immense early pressure at 3/23. Sam Hoffmann was holding the innings together and he was joined by his skipper Cam Lintern as these two started to resurrect the innings. Hoffmann went on to make a fine 69, his second half century of the season, while Lintern finished on 28 as the pair put on a crucial 76-run stand for the fourth wicket. Late runs from Jonah Magor (22 not out) and Mitchell Reilly (15 not out) were crucial as Encounter Bay posted a competitive total of 6/160 from their 40 overs. Ben Martin bowled an excellent spell for the Bloods taking 2/11 from eight overs. Port Elliot got off to a good start with Colby Whitbourne (26) and Brayden Arbon (10) adding 36 for the first wicket. Three quick wickets however left the visitors in trouble at 3/50 before Joel Harris (26) and Hayden Gordge (22) gave the run chase some impetus with a 48-run stand for the fourth wicket. Once these two were dismissed the innings stalled as Port Elliot finished on 7/132. Dillon Burns (2/18) was the only multiple wicket taker for Encounter Bay while Magor was very economical with 1/17 from his eight over spell.

Goolwa won their second game in a row and moved into third spot on the ladder with a professional six-wicket away victory against McLaren Districts. The Magpies won the toss and sent McLaren Districts into bat and it was a strange innings for McLaren as six batsmen got into double figures but only skipper Stephen Nairn (23) got past 20 as they posted 8/132. Andrew Evans (2/12) and Jake Ashton-Place (2/39) were the main wicket takers for Goolwa. Coming off a score of 66 last week, opening batsman Luke Giddings was the mainstay of the Magpies response as he expertly guided the run chase all the way to victory with an unbeaten 59. He was well supported by Evans (25) and Shaun Burger (22) as the runs were knocked off with four overs to spare. David Smith was the best of McLaren Districts’ bowlers taking 2/24 from eight overs.

Simon Roberts has put on a bowling masterclass as he took the amazing figures of 7/8 (including a hat trick) from four overs to lead his Willunga side to a crushing 116-run win on the turf at Mount Compass. Roberts didn’t need the help of his team mates in the field as all seven victims were bowled or LBW! Earlier, Willunga batted first and posted a solid score of 7/166 with that man Roberts leading the way with a top-scoring 48 from just 40 balls (7 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). He was ably supported by Joel Docking with 44. Cameron Usher bowled an excellent spell for Compass claiming 2/13 from his eight overs while Bryce Garrard took 2/16 (4). In response only skipper Paul Barrett with 15 could make it to double figures as the Bulls were rolled for a paltry 50 off 25 overs.

Noarlunga were awarded a win after Myponga unfortunately forfeited.

Round 4 (2/11/19 & 9/11/19) fixtures (home team named first)…..

Mount Compass v Noarlunga

Willunga v Goolwa

Encounter Bay v McLaren Districts

Port Elliot v Myponga