Kangarilla won their second game of the season yesterday following a thrilling one-wicket victory against Mylor during round four action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Kangarilla. Mylor won the toss and decided to bat first with the decisive partnership of the innings coming between Tom Plant and Ben James. This pair came together at 2/35 and added 90 runs for the third wicket before James was dismissed for 36 (57 balls). Plant went on to top score with 84 from 134 balls (8 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the Pipers finished on 6/174 from their 45 overs. Ryan Grimmond was the leading wicket taker for the home side with 3/41 (9). The run chase was tight throughout with ‘Kangies’ skipper Lachlan Knight (52), Grimmond (36) and Che Martinsen (28) putting their side in a good position at 2/97 with 15 overs remaining. Three quick wickets fell and at 5/117 it was anyone’s game with Ben Ryan coming to the crease. Ryan held his nerve and was still at the crease as the final over commenced with his side requiring six runs for victory. Two run-outs left the scores level with ‘Kangies’ nine wickets down before Ryan hit the last ball of the game to the boundary to see his side over the line. Ryan finished with 37 not out from 27 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Oliver Barnes (2/32) was the leading wicket taker for Mylor, while skipper Michael Warburton bowled a miserly spell of 0/12 from his nine overs. 

The giant-killing run of Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) has continued after they defeated reigning premier Stirling by 25 runs at Stirling Oval yesterday. The home side won the toss and sent SCIB in and the move paid early dividends with the visitors slumping to 3/23 in the ninth over. Enter the in-form Aaron Thompson who partnered up with Andy Adams in a game-changing 87-run stand for the fourth wicket before Adams departed for 48 (93 balls). Ethan Dinning (22) then added 49 for the seventh wicket as Thompson continued on his merry way, bringing up a brilliant century, before finishing with 100 not out from 93 balls (13 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Thompson has now scored 208 runs this season without being dismissed! SCIB were eventually bowled out in the 45th over for 213. Harrison Webb (2/6), Chris Shaw (2/31) and Charlie Fryer (2/44) were the multiple wicket takers for Stirling. The Eagles' run chase started well with Jack Read (18) and Raph Baker (14) adding 34 runs for the first wicket, before three quick wickets saw the reigning premier in trouble at 3/46. The Eagles needed a partnership and they duly got one as Webb and Jacob Kemp came together to resurrect the innings. This pair added 134 runs for the fourth wicket and with five overs left, Stirling sat at 4/180 and needed 34 runs to win. The 41st over of the innings, bowled by Adams, completely turned the game on its head as four wickets fell with Stirling losing their last 6/8 to be bowled out in the 44th over for 188. Webb top scored with 76 from 80 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Kemp finished with 52 from 71 balls (4 x 4’s). Adams (3/38) completed a fine all-round double, while Suresh Sripada (2/16) and Sam Hill (2/30) chimed in with a couple of wickets each. 

Aldgate remained undefeated and on top of the ladder after securing a five-wicket win at Bridgewater yesterday. Bridgewater won the toss and elected to bat first with the trusty pair of Justin Summerill (20) and Luke Hoyle (45) adding 44 runs for the first wicket, before Jackson Hooper (24) put on 47 with Hoyle as the Raiders reached 1/91. After Shaun Atkins (2/26) removed Hoyle, Jack Woollard (2/41) made a double strike to have Aldgate on top with the home side at 4/99. Enter Aldgate skipper Jake Turnbull who completely turned the game in his side's favour with a spell of 6/11 from 8.5 overs including a hat trick to end the innings! After a promising start, Bridgewater lost their last 9/46 to be bowled out for 137 in the 39th over. Chris Ashby (21) was the other Bridgewater batsman to pass 20. Aldgate’s run chase didn’t start well with the in-form Josh Callaghan out first ball of the innings. Mitch Thomas (27) and James Anthony (16) steadied the ship, but at 5/66, the ‘Gaters’ were in strife. Playing-coach Atkins joined teenager Max Bilsborow at the crease and proceeded to smash an unbeaten 50 from just 32 balls. His innings included five boundaries and three ‘maximums’. Bilsborow contributed an important 26 not out (2 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as the winning runs came up in the 37th over. Jarrad Tait (2/16) and Summerill (2/31) were the most successful Bridgewater bowlers.

Mount Lofty won their second game of the season and at the same time consigned Meadows to a 0-4 start to the season. The Redcaps batted first and posted a competitive total of 5/204 from their 45 overs. Josh Mitchell (37), Nick Justice (32) and Ryan Pistola (31) all made useful contributions, but it was left to skipper Jordan Neis-Beer to play the critical innings for his side. Neis-Beer came in at 1/5 and made a patient 84 from 127 balls (4 x 4’s). Brad Louch (2/35) was the leading wicket taker for Meadows. The Bulldogs acquitted themselves well in the first half of the run chase as they reached 3/89 in the 22nd over. Mitchell (1/19) claimed the big wicket of Rohan Reid for 42 (56 balls) and from then on it was all Mount Lofty as Meadows lost 7/53 to be bowled out for 142. Louch (26) and Chad Dawe (21) also made useful contributions for Meadows. Will Healey (3/26), Peter Giannes (3/50) and Connor Milde (2/15) were the leading wicket takers for Mount Lofty. 

Ladder (after round 4)

Aldgate 24, Scott Creek Ironbank 24, Stirling 12, Bridgewater 12, Kangarilla 12, Mount Lofty 12, Mylor 0, Meadows 0.

Round 5 fixtures (home teams named first)

Meadows v Bridgewater

Scott Creek Ironbank v Kangarilla

Stirling v Mount Lofty

Aldgate v Mylor