Goolwa pulled off an excellent come-from-behind victory over local rival Port Elliot during the second round of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Goolwa Oval on Saturday. The Magpies were in deep trouble at 4/59 as they chased down Port Elliot’s competitive total of 6/159 from their 40 overs. Former Port Elliot skipper Jesse Consalvo, who returned to Goolwa this season, then played a match-winning hand of 73 not out to get the Magpies over the line by two wickets in the 38th over. Earlier in the day, Port Elliot won the toss and batted first with young all-rounder Colby Whitbourne playing a standout innings of 85 from 96 balls (6 x 4’s & 6 x 6’s). Whitbourne has started 2020/21 well with 117 runs from two innings. Whitbourne was well supported by Hayden Gordge who struck 24 not out from 29 balls. Jayden Crees was the pick of the bowlers for Goolwa taking 2/16 (8). Jake Ashton-Place also snared a couple of wickets to finish with 2/33 (8). Goolwa’s reply got off to a bad start as they slumped to 3/38 with Ben Maier, back from a stint with Western Youth Centre in the Adelaide & Suburban Cricket Association, the chief destroyer taking 3/21 from six overs. When Magpies all-rounder Andy Evans (10), in his 200th game, was dismissed by Liam Harris (2/38), the home side were in deep trouble needing 100 runs from just 16 overs. Enter Consalvo as he combined with Jake Kuss (24) to put on 44 runs for the fifth wicket. Four more wickets fell to leave Goolwa needing 18 runs to win with just two wickets in hand. Crees (7 not out) joined Consalvo to see the Magpies to victory with two overs to spare in an excellent game of Cricket. 

Noarlunga has started their 2020/21 campaign with consecutive victories following a 39-run triumph over a visiting McLaren Districts outfit. The home side batted first and posted a very competitive total of 5/182 from their 40 overs. Shoes skipper Jason Scarff made his second half century for the season as he compiled a fine innings of 85 from 95 balls before being run out. He added 52 runs for the second wicket with brother David Scarff (25) while Michael Smith (34 not out) and Jeff Colo (8 not out) added an invaluable 45 runs in an undefeated sixth wicket stand. Four Crushers bowlers took wickets with Andrew Fechner (1/23 off 8) the most economical. The visitors were never really in the hunt during their run chase as they slumped to 7/98 in reply. Luke Goodieson played a lone hand in the top order for McLaren with a top-scoring 40 (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6’s). Bodie Wilson (34 not out) and David Smith (20 not out) put some respectability on the scoreboard with a 45-run partnership to see McLaren Districts finish on 7/143 after their 40 overs. Ethan Alderman took the bowling honours again for the Shoes with figures of 3/23 from eight overs. Alderman has taken seven wickets in the opening two games at an average of 6.71 to lead the GSCA wicket tally. David Scarff (2/28) and Matty Ray (2/32) were the other wicket takers for Noarlunga.

Willunga has also started the season with back-to-back victories, this time by seven wickets at Encounter Bay. The Demons sent the home side in and it was a real struggle for the Bays as they slipped to a precarious 5/26 before skipper Cam Lintern and Ambrose Willoughby added 36 runs for the sixth wicket. Lintern was ultimately dismissed for a top-scoring 31 as the Bays lurched to 8/77 from their 40 overs. Tye McIvor (2/3 off 8) & Simon Roberts (2/18 off 7) were the multiple wicket takers for the Demons while special mention needs to be made of Luke Goldner’s miserly spell of 1/0 from six overs! Encounter Bay needed a miracle and they were off to a good start as Willunga fell to 3/39 with Riley Williams (2/15) and Shane Hastings (1/16) doing the early damage. Roberts (29 not out) and Braden Altus (9 not out) steadied the ship to see the Demons home by seven wickets in the 28th over. 

Ladder (after round 2)

Noarlunga 12, Willunga 12, Goolwa 6, Encounter Bay 6, Port Elliot 0, McLaren Districts 0.

Round 3 fixtures (two-day games/home team named first)

Willunga v Noarlunga*

McLaren Districts v Port Elliot

Encounter Bay v Goolwa

*Game to be played on Saturday 14/11 & Sunday 15/11. The other two games will be played Saturday 14/11 & Saturday 21/11.