Kangarilla defeated Meadows for the first time since joining the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) in season 2014/15 with an excellent 21-run victory during round five action at Kangarilla Oval on Saturday. Kangarilla batted first with Cole Davy (31 from 34 balls) getting Kangies off to a flying start. The innings was anchored by opening batsman Steve Featherstone who continued his excellent season with a patient 67 from 110 balls. ‘Feathers’ has now scored 225 runs at an average of 45.00 this season. Che Martinsen (16) and Matthew Bertelsmeier (11) helped get the total up to a competitive 9/151 after 40 overs. Kris Dawe, in his second game back at Meadows, took the bowling honours with 4/21 from seven overs. Max Buckley was the other multiple wicket taker with 2/32 (7). The Bulldogs got off to a good start in their run chase as Kris Dawe (28) and Haydn Reid (18) added 43 for the first wicket before Dawe was dismissed. Rohan Reid joined brother Haydn and they added 39 runs for the second wicket as Meadows worked their way to 1/82. The introduction of Featherstone after drinks changed the complexion of the game as he removed Rohan Reid for 32 on his way to figures of 4/16 (8). Martinsen chimed in with the big wicket of Haydn Reid as the Kangies skipper snared 3/26 (8). Martinsen now has 12 wickets this season at the ‘scrooge-like’ average of 7.33 to lead the HCA bowling aggregate through five rounds. Meadows lost their last 9/48 to be bowled out for 130 in the 40th over to give Kangarilla back-to-back wins.

Aldgate got themselves back on the winners list after the disappointment of losing their first game of the season last week by beating arch-rival Stirling by 39 runs at Stirling Oval. Aldgate batted first with Mitch Thomas and Jake Turnbull setting a good foundation with a 59-run second wicket stand before Thomas was dismissed for 33 (60 balls). Turnbull continued on for his highest score of the season with 49 (76 balls). Frank Clements (26) and Liam Winskill (24) made handy contributions as Aldgate posted a competitive total of 165. Teenage opening bowler Ned Hopgood continued his good season to snare 4/24 (7.4) while spinners Jack Pick (3/18) and Jack Read (2/27) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Eagles. Stirling’s run chase began poorly with Matty Hansen (2/10) taking two early wickets to have the home side struggling at 2/10. Josh Cox (23) joined Jack Read and the two teenagers started to resurrect the Stirling innings with an important third wicket partnership worth 59 runs. Read went on to top score with 40 from 73 balls. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the Eagles slipped to a precarious position at 7/106. The home side were still an outside chance with the experienced duo of Pick and Pete Fryer at the crease with this pair adding 19 runs for the eighth wicket until Jack Woollard (3/10) ended the game with three wickets in four balls as Stirling were bowled out for 126 in the 36th over. Turnbull (2/21) and Perry Edwards (2/26) were the other main wicket takers for the Gaters.

Flagstaff Hill continued their excellent start to the season with a comfortable 68-run at Uraidla. The Falcons batted first and got off to an excellent start with Max Renfrey and Matt Emes adding 118 for the first wicket before Emes was dismissed for 39 (68 balls). Angus Heaton (19) then added 29 runs for the second wicket with Renfrey as the visitors reached 1/148. Renfrey dominated the innings before being dismissed agonisingly short of his first ‘A’ grade century when he fell for 99 from 99 balls. His knock included 15 boundaries and three ‘maximums’. Oliver Styles added 23 (33 balls) as Flagstaff Hill knocked up a healthy 6/196 from their 40 overs. Renzo Gaetan was the standout bowler for Uraidla as he snared 3/29 (8), giving him nine wickets for the season so far. The Uraidla run chase never got going as they slumped to 6/62 with only Ryan Hunter (23) and Ben Sheppard (21) in the top order making it to double figures as Renfrey continued his great day to snare 3/14 (4). Gaetan provided a late highlight for Uraidla as he hit a top scoring 42 batting at number nine. Three wins in a row for Flagstaff Hill sees them sitting on top of the HCA ladder after five rounds.

Mount Lofty and Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) played out a thrilling tie at Heathfield Oval on Saturday. SCIB came into the game without a victory while Mount Lofty had a 2-2 win-loss record. Mount Lofty batted first and were under immediate pressure with their top three batsmen back in the shed and the score at 3/19. Brad Hutton joined Aaron Smith (11) and this pair added 33 runs for the fourth wicket. Hutton continued on to top score with 41 from 44 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Peter Giannes (11) and Zac ferguson (10) were the only other Redcaps to reach double figures as they were bowled out in the 34th over for 113. In just his fourth ‘A’ grade game, Mark Kipping took 4/46 (8) for SCIB. He was well supported by skipper Beau Thomas (2/9) and veteran Andy Adams (2/13). After losing Darcy Campbell (2) early, Kipping and Adams added 51 runs for the second wicket to have SCIB well on top. Unfortunately Kipping was run out for 22 and shortly afterwards Adams went for 26 to leave Scott Creek Ironbank at 3/65. After the dismissal of Adams, SCIB collapsed to be 9/100 with Thomas and Ben McGowan left as the last pair at the crease looking for the 14 runs to give their team a first win for 2020/21. The pair inched their way towards victory until Brett Pistola bowled Thomas to tie the game as SCIB were bowled out for 113 in 39 overs. Pistola was the hero for Mount Lofty as he claimed 5/17 from eight overs, his second five-wicket haul, while Will Healey chimed in with 2/22 (8). 

Ladder (after round 5)

Flagstaff Hill 24, Aldgate 24, Kangarilla 18, Mount Lofty 15, Meadows 12, Stirling 12, Uraidla 12, Scott Creek Ironbank 3.