Goolwa have put themselves in a great position to move up to second position on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after day one of their clash with reigning premier Noarlunga at Goolwa Oval. Noarlunga won the toss and batted first and it was tough going as the Shoes struggled to get any momentum during their innings before being bowled out for just 105 in the 63rd over. Skipper Jason Scarff (34) was the only Noarlunga batsman to pass 20. Five Goolwa bowlers took wickets with Andrew Evans (3/20), Thomas Carter (2/9) and Josh Jones (2/17) the multiple wicket takers. The Magpies finished day one on 0/9 after surviving a testing seven overs at the end of the day.

Mount Compass has given themselves a chance at a second win of the 2019/20 season after posting a competitive day one total of 9/173 at Burgess Oval against Port Elliot. Mount Compass were in early trouble at 3/45 with Sheldon Burgess (23) doing well at the top of the order. Bryce Garrard backed up his half century from last week by scoring an important 41 but when he was dismissed, the Bulls collapsed to be 8/96 and another poor total looked likely. Enter Matt Loots who made a very impressive 54 not out and together with Josh Dalitz, added 33 for the ninth wicket before combining with Cameron Usher (13 not out) to frustrate the Port Elliot bowlers with an unbroken stand of 44 runs for the 10th wicket. Simon Donaldson was clearly the pick of the Bloods bowlers taking 4/21 from a marathon 18 overs. Donaldson has had an excellent season in his return to Port Elliot with 16 wickets at an average of 10.63.

Myponga had their best day since being promoted to ‘A’ grade ranks this season as they made a very competitive day one score of 7/180 against McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale. The total was set up by an excellent 88-run second wicket stand between Sean Haverty (28) and Ryan Haverty (73). It was Ryan Haverty’s highest ‘A’ grade score for Myponga. David Smith toiled manfully for McLaren Districts taking 4/35 from 20 overs. Smith has now taken 17 wickets for the season and sits in equal third spot on the GSCA wicket takers list.

Top side Willunga are in a good position to notch their eighth consecutive victory after making 220 on day one of their clash against Encounter Bay at Willunga Oval. The total was set up by three 50+ run partnerships starting with the opening pair of George Catsiavas (23) and Luke Harding (56) who put on 56 for the first wicket. Harding was then joined by Scott Brown (13) in a 50-run union for the second wicket. A mini collapse then occurred as the Demons slipped to 6/143 before Simon Roberts (45) and Dane McPhail (21) added an important 50-run seventh wicket stand before the home side were dismissed in the 68th over. Dillon Burns claimed his third career five-wicket haul for Encounter Bay, finishing with 5/61 from 21 overs. He was ably supported by Chris Butler (3/53) and Daniel Zrim (2/44).