Kangarilla has moved up to second place on the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder after winning their fourth game in a row with a 23-run win at Meadows during round seven action yesterday. Kangarilla batted first and posted 4/154 from their 45 overs. Skipper Lachlan Knight (49), Che Martinsen (32) and Steve Featherstone (27) led the way with the bat for ‘Kangies’. Zack Robertson (2/15), Rohan Reid (1/34) and David Bates (1/44) were the wicket takers for the Bulldogs. Meadows got themselves into a good position at 2/66 after 17 overs, before Che Martinsen claimed the vital wickets of Oscar Tydeman followed by Rohan Reid as Meadows lost their last 8/65 to be bowled out for 131 in the 39th over. Rohan Reid top scored for Meadows with 45 (55 balls), while brother Haydn was the last man out for 32 (74 balls). Che Martinsen finished with the excellent figures of 3/18 (7) and he was well supported by Featherstone with 3/26 from five overs. 

Aldgate moved back to the top of the ladder with a hard-fought 15-run win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Cherry Gardens yesterday. Aldgate batted first with their innings underpinned by an 86-run fourth wicket partnership between Mitch Thomas and Shaun Atkins. Atkins made 40 from 54 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Thomas top scored with 75 from 118 balls (6 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the Gaters put up 9/182 from their 45 overs. Having bowled only six overs in ‘A’ grade this season, Ethan Dinning secured the amazing figures of 7/30 from nine overs for SCIB. The home side were under early pressure in the run chase as they slumped to 5/67 with left-armer Matty Hansen doing most of the damage with 3/38 (9). Dinning continued his good day with 23 (24 balls), while Ben Thomas made 24 not out (27 balls) in a 40-run stand with the in-form Aaron Thompson. Thompson continued his excellent season, top scoring with 77 not out from 105 balls (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), but ultimately his side came up short finishing on 7/167. Other wicket takers for Aldgate included Jack Woollard (2/43), Atkins (1/20) and Jake Turnbull (1/24). 

Another clean hitting display from Jack Read has fired Stirling to a comprehensive 176-run win at home against Mylor. Read smashed 90 from 69 balls (6 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s) and added 103 for the first wicket with Sean McCullum (38). Read and Jack Pick then put on 66 runs for the second wicket with Pick making 59 from 70 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Connor McFadyen (27), Harrison Webb (21) and Pete Fryer (17 not out) made handy contributions as the Eagles finished with an imposing score of 5/259 from their 45 overs. Peter Johns (2/31) was the only multiple wicket taker for Mylor. The visitors were never in the run chase as they bowled out for just 83 inside 19 overs. Todd Dellatorre (34) and Ben James (15 not out) were the only Mylor batsmen to reach double figures. Five Stirling bowlers took wickets with Read (3/20), Pete Fryer (2/2) and McFadyen (2/27) leading the way.

Mount Lofty won their fourth game of 2023/24 with a 35-run win against Bridgewater in a high scoring contest at Heathfield Oval yesterday. The Raiders got off to a good start, taking two early wickets as Mount Lofty slipped to 2/25. Redcaps skipper Jordan Neis-Beer was joined by Josh Mitchell and this pair added 116 runs for the third wicket before Mitchell was dismissed for 79 from 56 balls. Mitchell’s innings included 10 boundaries and three sixes. Leith Dawes then joined Neis-Beer to add 115 runs for the fourth wicket as Mount Lofty posted 3/256. Dawes finished with 47 not out (48 balls), while Neis-Beer top scored with 97 not out (140 balls). Anthony Jennings (1/26) and Liam Risson (1/43) were the wicket takers for Bridgewater. Ty Watson (38), Luke Hoyle (27) and Jarrad Tait (22) made handy contributions for Bridgewater, but at 4/97 the game was Mount Lofty’s for the taking. Raiders skipper Justin Summerill joined Peter Atkins to put on 89 runs for the fifth wicket as the visitors reached 4/186 and an upset victory was a chance. Enter Connor Milde (4/40), who took three wickets in two overs to quash any chance the Raiders had. Atkins made 38 (48 balls), while Summerill top scored with 68 not out from 69 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) with Bridgewater finishing on 9/221.

Ladder (after round 7)

Aldgate 30, Kangarilla 30, Scott Creek Ironbank 30, Stirling 24, Mt Lofty 24, Mylor 12, Bridgewater 12, Meadows 6.

Round 8 fixtures (home teams named first)

Meadows v Aldgate

Mylor v Mt Lofty 

Bridgewater v Scott Creek Ironbank

Kangarilla v Stirling