Goolwa and Port Elliot celebrated 160 years since the first recorded match between the two clubs as they clashed at Goolwa on the first day of round five in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) on Saturday. Goolwa won the toss and elected to bat first and they got off to a solid start with a partnership of 38 for the first wicket between Luke Giddings (22) and Josh Jones (33). With the loss of both openers and Jack Ward (16), the game was evenly poised with the Magpies at 3/72. Another good partnership was needed and Andrew Evans (34) and Victor Robertson (47) provided just that with a 65-run union for the fourth wicket. Shaun Burger (32 not out) helped push the score past 200 as Goolwa finished their 70 overs with a competitive total of 5/204. The Port Elliot bowlers toiled hard all day with Ben Griffiths finishing with figures of 2/31 from 18 overs. 

It was an intriguing day of Cricket at Noarlunga Oval as the reigning premier hosted perennial powerhouse Encounter Bay. Noarlunga batted first and it was soon 1/0 with skipper Jason Scarff out first ball. This brought David Scarff to the crease and he set about resurrecting the innings after another couple of wickets fell to leave the Shoes in trouble at 3/35. Allan O’Connor (20) joined Scarff and this pair added 42 runs for the fourth wicket but at 7/130, Encounter Bay were well on top. Enter Sam Trapolino (38 not out)  and he partnered Scarff to add a very important 88 runs for the eighth wicket which took Noarlunga to a very competitive total of 7/218. Scarff finished up with 120 not out, being at the crease for all but one ball of the innings as he notched his maiden ‘A’ grade century. Riley Puckridge (2/25) and Jonah Magor (2/29) were the multiple wicket takers for Encounter Bay.

McLaren Districts hold the upper hand in their contest with Mount Compass after day one at McLaren Vale. Mount Compass won the toss and decided to bat first and they got off to a reasonable start to reach 2/63 at one stage before a collapse of 5/23 saw them slump to 7/86. Bryce Garrard (37) and Aaron Dalitz (33) were the mainstays of the Bulls innings as they finally reached a total of 137 before being bowled out in the 62nd over. Stephen Nairn with 4/28 (15) was the pick of the bowlers for the home side with Ryan McCurrach (2/26) and David Smith (2/28) the other multiple wicket takers. McLaren Districts had to negotiate a tricky eight overs before stumps and unfortunately lost Dyan Howie without scoring when he was dismissed by Michael Tucker (1/2). They will resume day two on 1/6.

Willunga are on the verge of an outright victory after a productive day against Myponga at Myponga Oval. After winning the toss and sending the home side in, Willunga rolled through the Mudlarks dismissing them for just 23. Only nine Myponga batsmen were available in the first innings which obviously didn’t help. Simon Roberts (4/4), Luke Goldner (2/5) and Sean McIvor (2/9) all did their bowling averages no harm. The Demons made short work of the target, declaring at 1/88 after just 19 overs with a lead of 65 runs. Rhys Allard (49 not out) and Joel Docking (33 not out) added 82 for the second wicket before the declaration came. Myponga did better in their second dig to finish the day at 6/88, a slender lead of 23 runs. Sean Haverty (33), Steven Jaggard (23) and Ryan Haverty (20) helped add some respectability to Myponga’s day.