Goolwa defeated Port Elliot by 28 runs on Saturday to claim the minor premiership at the conclusion of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) minor round. Goolwa made 149 on day one, and Port Elliot looked well placed at 2/66 with Tyson Somerfield top scoring with 61 (7 x 4’s). No other Port Elliot batsman stood up though as the Bloods were dismissed for 121 in the 48th over. The Magpies, without skipper Jayden Crees, turned to opening bowler Josh Jones, who snared 5/33 from a marathon 20 overs. Both sides will have week one of the finals series off before they play semi-finals on March 11/12.

Willunga finished their season on a high with a four-wicket win against Noarlunga. The Demons had already taken first innings points on day one, and were hoping to push for an outright win on day two. Noarlunga resumed on 1/19 and batted until Tea, finishing on 2/63 before stumps were called early. Jason Scarff (27) and David Scarff (18 not out) were the leading run scorers for the Shoes. Sean McIvor (1/13) and Simon Roberts (1/24) were the wicket takers for Willunga. Noarlunga will take on Myponga/Sellicks in an elimination final this weekend, while for Willunga, who have won four of the last five premierships, it’s the end of their season. 

Myponga/Sellicks will enter the finals series full of confidence after defeating Yankalilla by 35 runs on Saturday. The Mudlarks posted a competitive 7/176 on day one and would have been confident of defending that total with their bowling attack. ‘Yank’ were in early trouble at 4/43 with the Mudlarks’ Euan Maclachlan (3/33) doing most of the damage. Lachlan Whittlesea (25) and Aaron Smith (53) then came together to add 73 runs for the fifth wicket to put their side right back in the contest. The dismissal of Smith brought about a collapse of 6/25 as Yankalilla were bowled out for 141. Mitchell Farquhar (4/17) was the leading wicket taker for Myponga/Sellicks and he was ably supported by Ben Hutchinson (3/20). 

Encounter Bay finished the minor round on a good note with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over McLaren Districts at McLaren Flat. Ironically these two teams will face off this weekend in a cut-throat elimination final at Burgess Oval. Encounter Bay did a great job on day one to restrict the Crushers to just 105 and they had little trouble chasing down the target before Tea on day two. Jason Parry and Chris Butler added 39 runs for the first wicket before Butler went for 26 (46 balls). Parry was then joined by Sam Hoffmann and this pair saw their side to the total in the 34th over after putting on 68 for the second wicket. Hoffmann finished with 41 not out (45 balls), while Parry was unbeaten on 37 (111 balls). Keith Schofield (1/13) was the sole wicket taker for McLaren Districts.

Mount Compass defeated Aldinga by eight wickets to claim outright points at Aldinga on Saturday. The Bulls declared on their overnight score of 4/107, an overall lead of two runs. In one of their best batting displays of the summer, Aldinga made 5/153 (42 overs) before declaring and setting Mount Compass a target of 152 from 28 overs. Paul Inglis top scored for the Sharks in their second dig with 65 not out and he received solid support from Wade Sutherland (31) and Ashley Pellatt (21). Aaron Dalitz (2/36) was the multiple wicket taker for ‘Compass’. James Colley (63), Paul Barrett (36 not out), Josh Murfitt (30) and Scott McAvaney (22 not out) led the Bulls to victory for the loss of just two wickets, both taken by Jonathan Piggins (2/45).

Ladder - after round 12

Goolwa 64, Port Elliot 58, McLaren Districts 49, Myponga-Sellicks 46, Noarlunga 43, Encounter Bay 43, Willunga 36, Yankalilla 27, Mount Compass 22, Aldinga 0.

Elimination Finals (4/3/23 & 5/3/23)

McLaren Districts v Encounter Bay (Burgess Oval)

Myponga/Sellicks v Noarlunga (Encounter Bay)