The Hills Cricket Association (HCA) A1 competition starts on Saturday with eight teams chasing premiership glory. There has been one change from last season with Uraidla dropping down to the A2 grade and there will be 18 games (45 overs) in the minor round. 

Reigning premier Stirling will be pursuing a third straight ‘A’ grade flag when they travel to Kangarilla for their round one encounter. The Eagles will once again be led by Jack Pick with Jack Read his deputy. There has been plenty happening off-field at Stirling Oval with new training nets along with a new, wider centre-wicket pitch with ‘stick-down’ matting. 2022/23 runner-up Mount Lofty will be one of the teams to beat again with Jordan Neis-Beer at the helm. The Redcaps have added Josh Mitchell (Echunga/Kensington) to their list, while star all-rounder Adam Carthew will miss the start of the season due to a knee injury. With just one win from three finals series since winning the premiership in 2018/19, Aldgate will look to go at least one step further this season. Jake Turnbull will captain the side for a sixth consecutive season, while Shaun Atkins will be playing-coach. Jack Woollard will return after missing two seasons with a knee injury, but gun all-rounder Frank Clements will be missing due to an interstate move for work. As always, Meadows should be around the mark with Rohan Reid continuing as skipper. In a major boost to the Bulldogs’ chances, opening batsman Brad Dawe returns from Goodwood. Meadows will have a second side this season (A3 grade) and will have a number of players returning including former ‘A’ grade premiership player Anthony Hughes.

Kangarilla missed the finals last season and will look to bounce back in 2023/24 under the leadership of Che Martinsen. ‘Kangies’ will have a similar lineup this season with the addition of Joel Stidston from Southern District. After returning to ‘A’ grade ranks for the first time in decades in 2022/23, Mylor will be confident of snaring a finals spot this season after a strong finish to their campaign. The Pipers won their last four games to finish in sixth position in a handy return to A1. Former state cricketer, Tom Plant, will feature in more games in the black and white this season, while Liam Tansell has joined the club from Echunga. Bridgewater showed good improvement with five wins last season and will be a dangerous outfit under the tutelage of Jarrad Tait. Tait has made big changes to the professionalism at the Raiders who will again have Justin Summerill as ‘A’ grade skipper, while Bridgewater local and former Sturt cricketer Ty Watson is a good recruit for ‘Bridgy’. The Raiders will step out in round one in a new coloured playing kit, while the Bridgewater Oval playing surface and wicket area has been levelled and resurfaced. Scott Creek Ironbank won four games in 2022/23 and will look to skipper Adam Shearwood to lift them up the ladder this season. ‘SCIB’ have added Jayden Rea and Caleb Dean to their squad and have excellent new training facilities to enjoy this season. 

Round 1 fixtures (home teams named first)

Scott Creek Ironbank v Bridgewater

Aldgate v Meadows

Mount Lofty v Mylor

Kangarilla v Stirling