Aldgate pulled off an upset 62-run win over Stirling during round six action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Aldgate Oval yesterday. The Gaters batted first with Mitch Thomas and James Anthony getting their side off to a good start with a 52-run stand for the first wicket before Anthony departed for 23 (45). Pierce Cordes-Harvey made a handy 30 (37), while Thomas went on to score 37 (61). It was left to skipper Josh Callaghan to play the decisive innings for his side with 63 not out from 76 balls (6 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the home side posted 7/188 from their 45 overs. Ezekiel Hemming (2/31) was the leading wicket taker for Stirling. The Eagles were never in the run chase as they slumped to 5/37 with opening bowler Matt Hansen the destroyer for Aldgate. Hansen took his best figures of the season with 4/31 (9) to take his season tally to 13 wickets at an average of 11.92. Luke Smet (3/23) and Angus Bilsborow (2/21) were the other multiple wicket takers, while Pete Fryer top scored for Stirling with 41 from 42 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). "For a young group, wins like that are really important, especially for all the young lads' confidence going forward," said Callaghan. "I'm really pleased with where we are at after the first six rounds. All the boys are having fun and enjoying their cricket."

Mt Lofty moved back to the top of the ladder after a low-scoring 19-run win at Kangarilla yesterday. The Redcaps batted first and were soon in trouble at 3/25 with Kangarilla opening bowler Che Martinsen claiming 2/11 from nine overs. Sam Furber (23) and Josh Mitchell (23) made handy contributions, before Adam Carthew top scored with 37 not out (80 balls). Ultimately, Mt Lofty were bowled out for 125 in the 45th over. Steve Featherstone (3/22) was the other multiple wicket taker for ‘Kangies’. Kangarilla got themselves into a good position in the run chase at 0/41, before losing 10/65 to be bowled out for 106 in the 42nd over. Kangarilla skipper Jake Turnbull was the only batsman to pass 15 runs with 33 from 64 balls. Peter Giannes (4/13), Sam Furber (4/20) and Carthew (2/11) were the wicket takers for Mt Lofty.

Meadows won their second game of the season after a comfortable eight-wicket win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Meadows yesterday. SCIB batted first with Jarrod Thompson the standout performer with 78 from 113 balls (7 x 4’s), while Lachlan Knight (45) and Adam Shearwood (34) made good contributions as their side put up a competitive 6/223 from their 45 overs. Making a rare venture to the bowling crease, Haydn Reid snared 2/33 from eight overs. Oscar Tydeman got Meadows off to a flying start with a quickfire 46 from 27 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6), before Luke Tonkin (49) and Rohan Reid added 63 runs for the second wicket. Reid was then joined by Dylan Brown, in his first game for the season, and this pair added 103 runs for the third wicket as the winning runs came up in the 37th over. Brown finished with 47 not out (42), while Reid went on to top score with 76 not out from 79 balls (9 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Ethan Dinning (1/20) and Blake Beelitz (1/45) were the wicket takers for Scott Creek Ironbank.

Mylor moved up to third spot on the HCA ladder with a low-scoring 28-run win against Bridgewater. Mylor batted first and were in early trouble at 3/38 as Liam Tansell joined Joel Durnford at the crease. This pair resurrected the innings with a 47-run fourth-wicket stand before Tansell departed for a hard-hitting 31 from 31 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Durnford went on to top score with 39 (62) as the Pipers posted a total of 145 before being bowled out in the 41st over. Ty Watson was the star with the ball for the Raiders with figures of 5/42 (9), while Liam Risson (2/14) and Ben Slater (2/29) were the other multiple wicket takers. Bridgewater’s innings also started poorly as they slumped to 4/45. Bridgewater skipper Jarrad Tait held the key to a Raiders victory as he top scored with 41 (43) but once he was dismissed, the end came quickly for the Raiders as they were bowled out for 117. All six Mylor bowlers took wickets with Dylan Quinn (4/27) and Jesse Cooper (2/6) the leading wicket takers. 

Ladder (after round 6)

Mt Lofty 30, Stirling 24, Mylor 24, Scott Creek Ironbank 18, Aldgate 18, Bridgewater 12, Meadows 12, Kangarilla 6.

Round 7 (home team named first)

Scott Creek Ironbank v Aldgate

Stirling v Mylor

Bridgewater v Kangarilla 

Mt Lofty v Meadows