Goolwa fast bowler Jayden Crees took career best figures of 7/39 to put the Magpies in a strong position at stumps on day one of their round four clash against McLaren Districts in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). Crees bowled a marathon 29 overs on the trot to claim his seventh five-wicket haul for Goolwa. The home side sent McLaren Districts into bat and the Crushers reached 1/26 before a dramatic collapse saw them lose 6/1 to be left reeling at 7/27. Ben Wilcox (15) and Josh van den Broeke (13) tried hard but it was Daniel Petrucci who was the mainstay of the innings with 40 not out from 80 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) before McLaren were dismissed for 95 in the 58th over. Goolwa skipper Josh Jones was the other multiple wicket taker with 2/26 (20). Goolwa had 12 overs to negotiate before stumps and McLaren Districts did well to grab three wickets as the Magpies reached 3/35 at stumps with Jesse Le Ray (8 not out) and Fred Nissen (2 not out) to resume next week. Luke Giddings top scored with 17. Daniel Hoskin (1/18), Andrew Fechner (1/3) and van den Broeke (1/2) were the wicket takers for the Crushers.

Willunga are in a strong position to continue their undefeated start to the 2020/21 season as they bowled Port Elliot out for 114 on day one of their clash at Port Elliot. At stumps, Willunga were 2/20 in reply. Colby Whitbourne (39 from 71 balls) continued his excellent season as he top scored for the Bloods. Whitbourne has 164 runs at 41.00 so far this season. Joel Harris chipped in with a patient 26 from 72 balls as the home side were bowled out in the 58th over. Simon Roberts was again the star with the ball for Willunga as he took his eighth five-wicket haul for the Demons to finish with 5/24 from 15.1 overs. Roberts was well supported by Joel Docking (2/14) and skipper Luke Harding (2/20). Willunga had a tricky 12 overs to negotiate before stumps and lost openers Chad Franceschini and Harding as they finished on 2/20 at the close of play. Colby Whitbourne (1/8) and Ben Maier (1/11) were the wicket takers for Port Elliot. 

Noarlunga and Encounter Bay faced off at a windswept Mount Compass Oval for day one of their round four clash. The game was a ‘home game’ for the Shoes as their pitch and oval are currently undergoing an upgrade. Encounter Bay chose to bat first and were in immediate trouble as they slipped to 3/11 with opening bowlers Matthew Ray (2/12) and Jamie Keers (1/17) the wicket takers for Noarlunga. Encounter Bay steadied through experienced campaigners Sam Hoffmann (47 not out) and Cam Lintern (33 not out) as this pair added an undefeated 82 runs for the fourth wicket. The Bays reached 3/93 (36 overs) at the Tea break before rain interrupted play to bring an early end to proceedings. Encounter Bay will face a further 17 overs next week as the game is now set to be a 53 overs per side contest.