Aldgate moved back inside the top-four following their five-wicket win against Meadows during round 10 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Meadows yesterday. The home side batted first and their innings was dominated by Rohan Reid who top scored with 102 not out from 124 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). It was Reid’s first century of the HCA season and he now has 484 runs at an average of 69.14 in the 2024/25 campaign. Unfortunately only two other players in Luke Tonkin (25) and Haydn Reid (16) could reach double figures as the Bulldogs were bowled out for 169 in the 44th over. Angus Bilsborow was the major wicket taker for Aldgate with 4/43 (8.5) and he was well supported by Luke Smet who snared 3/21 (9). Aldgate’s run chase was set up by a 94-run second wicket stand between James Anthony and Pierce Cordes-Harvey which was broken when Cordes-Harvey was dismissed for 44 from 47 balls (3 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Anthony continued on to top score with 55 (81 balls), while Smet chipped in with 21 not out (32 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 34th over. Dylan Brown (2/13) was the leading wicket taker for Meadows.

Mt Lofty moved two games clear on top of the ladder after a convincing 83-run win over Stirling at Heathfield Oval. The Redcaps batted first with their innings underpinned by opening batsman Josh Healey who top scored with 60 (93 balls). Extras (21) contributed the second highest total as Mt Lofty posted 170 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Jack Pick was the main destroyer for Stirling with 4/22 (8), while Ezekiel Hemming took 2/50. The Stirling run chase never really got going as they were in early trouble at 3/26 before being bowled out in the 30th over for just 87. Harrison Webb was the standout Eagles batsman with 43 (78 balls). Five Redcaps bowlers took wickets with Will Healey bowling an amazing spell to capture 4/5 from his nine overs (including five maidens), while Connor Milde took 2/19 (5). 

Kangarilla kept their slim finals chances alive after a seven-wicket victory at home against Mylor yesterday. Mylor batted first and it was a real struggle against a disciplined Kangarilla bowling lineup. Tom Plant (40) and Oliver Barnes (20) were the best of the top-six batsmen, while Jesse Cooper (21 not out) and James Warburton (15 not out) put on 33 runs for the ninth wicket as the Pipers reached 8/125 from their 45 overs. Che Martinsen (3/19) and Ryan Grimmond (3/21) were the leading wicket takers for ‘Kangies’, while Jack Evans bowled a restrictive spell of 1/10 (9). Kangarilla were untroubled in the run chase with skipper Jake Turnbull (44), Grimmond (29), Cole Davy (25 not out) and Steve Featherstone (21) helping their side to the target in the 40th over. 

Bridgewater won their second game in a row with a 30-run win at home against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB). The Raiders batted first with James Dawson (36) and Ty Watson (34) adding 53 runs for the second wicket, while Luke Hoyle chipped in with a quickfire 20 (13 balls) as Bridgewater finished 9/188 from their 45 overs. Beau Harwood (3/59), Lachlan Knight (2/33) and Zane Lewis (2/33) were the leading wicket takers for SCIB. Scott Creek Ironbank got themselves into a good position in the run chase at 3/122 through good contributions from Knight (36), Adam Shearwood (31), Darcy Campbell (24) and Sam Hill (23), but that was as good as it got for the visitors as they lost their last 7/36 to be bowled out for 158. Dawson (4/33) completed a good all-round double for the Raiders, while Harry Moule-Hooworth snared 2/19 (6). 

Ladder (after round 10)

Mt Lofty 36, Stirling 28, Mylor 24, Aldgate 20, Bridgewater 16, Scott Creek Ironbank 16, Kangarilla 12, Meadows 8.

Round 11 (15/2/25 - home teams named first)

Meadows v Bridgewater

Aldgate v Kangarilla

Mylor v Mt Lofty

Stirling v Scott Creek Ironbank