Encounter Bay jumped back into the top four on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder with a comprehensive 169-run win over Mount Compass in round 10 action in the GSCA at Encounter Bay Oval. The home side won the toss and elected to bat first with Sam Hoffmann the dominant figure with a fine innings of 126. It was Hoffmann’s first century of the season and he now leads the GSCA with 430 runs at an average of 53.75 so far this season. Hoffmann was well supported by Jacob Grenfell (45) as this pair added 135 runs for the third wicket. Skipper Cam Lintern (39 not out) put the finishing touches on the innings as Encounter Bay finished their 40 overs with a big total of 4/257. Cameron Usher (2/38) was the only multiple wicket taker for Mount Compass. The Bulls run chase started badly as they slumped to 3/28 before Bryce Garrard (37) and Aaron Dalitz (19) added 43 runs for the fourth wicket to lift the visitors to 3/71. From that moment on it was all Encounter Bay as they took the last seven Compass wickets for just 17 runs as the Bulls were bowled out in the 25th over for 88. All five Encounter Bay bowlers took wickets with Andrew Pacitti (3/4) and Dillon Burns (3/37) the chief destroyers.

Myponga almost pulled off the upset of the season as they took on Goolwa at Myponga Oval. The Mudlarks got off to a great start with the bat as Drew Boulden (40) and Sean Haverty (22) added 60 for the first wicket. After that it was all Goolwa as James Lawrence (5/22) and Kingsley Vincent (4/9) ran through the Myponga batting lineup as they were bowled out for just 76 in the 34th over. The Magpies run chase appeared easy enough but they were soon in trouble as James Patterson (5/20) and Vincent Nizzola (3/26) cut a swathe through the top order with only skipper Vic Robertson putting up any resistance, top scoring with 25. It was left to Andrew Evans, batting in the uncustomary position of number nine, to see the Magpies over the line as he finished 17 not out with the winning runs coming up in the 35th over. Extras (21) was second top score for a relieved Magpies outfit who maintain second spot on the GSCA ladder.

Willunga confirmed their premiership favouritism with a crushing 120-run win over Port Elliot. It was the Demons' ninth consecutive victory after losing in the opening round. Willunga batted first and were in trouble at 5/62 as Port Elliot veteran Simon Donaldson bowled an excellent spell to take 3/43 from a marathon 18 overs. Simon Roberts was joined by Sean McIvor and this pair set about resurrecting the innings as they added an undefeated 106 runs for the sixth wicket with Roberts finishing 65 not out and McIvor 38 not out as the Demons posted a competitive total of 5/168. The Bloods were never in the hunt as they were bowled out for just 48 in the 22nd over with only Joel Harris (18) reaching double figures. Luke Goldner topped off an excellent week as he claimed his eighth five-wicket haul for Willunga with figures of 5/17 (11). Last week Goldner won the Athol Payne medal as the best player for Fleurieu & Districts at the SACA Country Cup. He was well supported by McIvor (3/19) and Roberts (2/2).

Noarlunga got back on the winners list after a tough five-wicket victory over McLaren Districts at Old Noarlunga Oval. McLaren Districts batted first and got solid contributions from Dylan Howie (23), Antony Natale (23) and Daniel Petrucci (22) as they battled their way to 8/116 from their 40 overs. Jason Scarff continued his excellent season for the Shoes as he collected 3/23 from his 12 overs. Peter Lamz chimed in with 3/31 (6) to help out his skipper. Jason Scarff (39) and David Scarff (50 not out) formed the backbone of the Noarlunga chase as the Crushers made them work hard for the runs before the target was achieved in the 39th over. David Smith bowled a marathon unchanged spell of 20 overs to finish with 4/38. Smith is having a fine season for McLaren Districts with 21 wickets at an average of just 12.48 in 2019/20.

Round 11 (15/2/20 & 22/2/20) fixtures are two-day matches (home team named first).....

Myponga v Noarlunga 

Goolwa v McLaren Districts

Willunga v Mount Compass

Port Elliot v Encounter Bay