Aldgate wrapped up a finals spot in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) following their comprehensive six-wicket victory against Stirling at Aldgate Oval on Saturday. With just two minor rounds left in the season, the top-four is set with just the final positions to be decided. Aldgate won the toss and sent the reigning premier in, and the Eagles were in early trouble at 4/49 with skipper Jack Pick (32) the only top-seven batsman to reach 20 runs. Charlie Fryer (29) and veteran Julian Zytnik (28) added 55 runs for the eighth wicket but ultimately Stirling were bowled out for 160 in the 42nd over. All-rounder Frank Clements was the pick of the Aldgate bowlers with 3/17 from 7.4 overs. He was well supported by Luke Smet (3/21) and Shaun Atkins (2/27). Atkins and Josh Callaghan got the home side off to a good start with an opening stand of 57 before Atkins went for 31 (25 balls). Mitchell Thomas (34 not out) and William Quigley-Smith (31) batted well, but it was Callaghan who top scored with 53 from 54 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6) with the winning runs coming up in the 34th over. Pick backed up his top score with the bat with bowling figures of 2/17 (7.5) for the Eagles.

Mount Lofty moved a step closer to the minor premiership with a big 126-run win over Kangarilla at Heathfield Oval. The Redcaps batted first with their innings underpinned by opening batsman Josh Healey who smashed 138 from 137 balls. It was Healey’s second ‘ton’ of the season and included 11 boundaries and four sixes. Ryan Pistola (27), Nick Justice (24), and Adam Carthew (20) made good contributions as Mount Lofty finished with an imposing 6/251 from their 45 overs. Ben Evans (2/54) was the multiple wicket taker for ‘Kangies’. The visitors were never in the hunt during the run chase as they batted out their 45 overs to finish with 9/125. Lachlan Knight (25) and Michael White (20) were the only batsmen to reach 20 runs. Five Redcaps bowlers took wickets including Max Hawke (2/8), Peter Giannes (2/22) and Matt Pistola (2/37). 

Uraidla won their first game in more than four months after defeating Bridgewater by 27 runs at Uraidla yesterday. The Demons batted first with a 101-run stand between Ty Watson and veteran Aaron Carter the feature of their innings. Watson top scored with 80 from 114 balls (13 x 4’s), while Carter made 34 from 75 balls (6 x 4’s). Peter Wilson (24) and Simon Parker (21) chimed in at the end to lift Uraidla to 5/201 from their 45 overs. Young leg-spinner Finlay Sullivan-Llewellyn took 3/41 (8) for the Raiders. Bridgewater started the run chase well with Jarrad Tait (27) and Justin Summerill (21) putting on 50 for the first wicket. The Raiders couldn’t get any other sizeable partnerships going with Luke Hoyle playing a lone hand in the middle order. Hoyle made 56 from 68 balls (3 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) but Bridgewater were bowled out for 174 in the 43rd over. Daniel McDonough (4/24) and Simon Parker (3/27) were the standout bowlers for the Demons with seven wickets between them.

Meadows maintained second spot on the HCA ladder following their comfortable five-wicket victory over Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Cherry Gardens. The home side batted first but they were soon in deep trouble at 3/6. Bulldogs skipper Rohan Reid was on fire with the first three wickets on his way to figures of 4/26 from nine overs. Three more wickets fell and at 6/67, SCIB looked unlikely to reach three figures. Daniel Desengo and Aaron Thompson had other ideas as they came together to add 60 runs for the sixth wicket before Thompson went for 50 (69 balls). Desengo continued on to top score with a run-a-ball 56 not out (6 x 4’s), as his side reached 9/163 from their 45 overs. Joining skipper Reid on the wicket takers list for Meadows were David Bates (2/18) and Chad Dawe (2/37). Luke Tonkin (20) and Rohan Reid added 52 for the first wicket before Oscar Tydeman (38) put on 73 with his captain for the second wicket. Reid continued his excellent day as he top scored with 68 (113 balls) with his side getting over the line with nine balls to spare. Desengo (2/38), Daniel Key (2/40) and Ben McGowan (1/19) were the wicket takers for Scott Creek Ironbank.

Mylor had the bye.

Ladder - after round 16

Mount Lofty 66, Meadows 57, Stirling 54, Aldgate 48, Bridgewater 39, Scott Creek Ironbank 33, Kangarilla 33, Mylor 30, Uraidla 24.

Round 17 fixtures (25/2/23) - home team named first

Kangarilla v Scott Creek Ironbank

Mylor v Bridgewater

Stirling v Mount Lofty

Uraidla v Aldgate

Meadows has the bye