Kangarilla has strengthened their grip on a top-four spot in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) following their comfortable 64-run win against top-of-the-table Stirling at Kangarilla yesterday. Kangarilla batted first and got off to an excellent start through skipper Che Martinsen and Steve Featherstone. This pair added 81 for the first wicket before Martinsen was dismissed for 45 (71 balls). Featherstone was joined by Lachlan Knight in another good partnership worth 58 runs, before ‘Feathers’ was dismissed for 60 (86 balls). Knight continued on to make 40 (44 balls) as Kangarilla posted 5/174 from their 40 overs. Jack Pick (1/15), Jack Read (1/16), Daniel Parfitt (1/21) and Pete Fryer (1/25) were the wicket takers for the Eagles. Stirling's run chase got off to a good start with openers Myles Collins (9) and Daniel Gonzalez adding 49 for the first wicket. From that moment on however, it was all Kangarilla as they captured 10/61 to bowl the visitors out in the 31st over for 110. Gonzalez went on to top score with 45 (55 balls) but he had little support with Read (13) the only other batsman to reach double figures. Ryan Smallman (3/24), Jack Evans (2/23) and Ben Evans (2/23) were the multiple wicket takers for Kangarilla. 

Aldgate went top of the HCA ladder with a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Uraidla yesterday at Aldgate Oval. Aldgate were strengthened by the return of skipper Jake Turnbull, while Gumeracha all-rounder Shaun Atkins was ‘on loan’ for the day as his team had the bye in the Torrens Valley Cricket Association. Uraidla batted first and got themselves into a reasonable position at 2/63 through Simon Parker (31), Alex Heptinstall (13) and Mitch Makings (13). The dismissal of Makings started a collapse of 8/33 to see Uraidla dismissed for just 96 in the 32nd over. Thomas Bassett battled hard to make 21 not out for the Demons. Five Aldgate bowlers took wickets with Turnbull (2/10), Harry Morbey (2/17), Atkins (2/19) and Matt Lennon (2/19) leading the way. Aldgate wasted no time knocking off the runs as Dale Stephens and Atkins opened with a 76-run stand in just 14 overs. Stephens made 39 from 44 balls (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Atkins finished with 51 not out from 47 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) as the winning runs came up in the 17th over. Makings (1/11) was the sole wicket taker for Uraidla. 

Meadows opening pair Luke Tonkin and Haydn Reid had a day out at Meadows yesterday as they put on a 221-run opening stand to help the Bulldogs to a 109-run win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB). Tonkin was dominant as he brought up his fifth ‘A’ grade century with 121 from just 96 balls (16 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Reid made 114 from 117 balls (14 x 4’s). It was Reid’s 17th ‘ton’ for the Bulldogs. Anthony Hughes (24 not out) and Oscar Tydeman (17 not out) added to the Scott Creek Ironbank bowlers' pain as the home side ended with an imposing 2/287 from their 40 overs. Beau Thomas (1/60) and Danny Coleman (1/65) were the wicket takers for SCIB. Scott Creek Ironbank started their run chase in disastrous fashion as the experienced pair of Chad Dawe (2/7) and Rohan Reid (2/11) ripped through their top order as they slumped to 5/23. Veteran Andy Adams was joined by Aaron Thompson and this pair battled hard to put some respectability on the scoreboard as they added 153 runs for the sixth wicket. Adams finished with 78 from 86 balls (9 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while Thompson continued on to make 55 not out (84 balls) as the visitors ended their 40 overs on 6/178. 

Mount Lofty got back on the winners list with a comfortable six-wicket victory against Bridgewater at Heathfield Oval yesterday. Bridgewater batted first and struggled throughout their innings as they were bowled out in the 38th over for just 86. The innings was dominated by Raiders skipper Justin Summerill who made a gutsy 51 from 112 balls (3 x 6’s). Unfortunately for Summerill, he had very little support with Dylan Wiles (11) the only other batsman to reach double figures. Five Mount Lofty bowlers took wickets with Aaron Smith (3/17) leading the way. He was well supported by James Kittel-Neill (2/9) and Dave Bennett (2/11). It took just 20 overs for the reigning premier to knock off the small target with Ryan Pistola top scoring with 32 from 32 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Young Bridgewater leg-spinner Finlay Sullivan-Llewellyn took his best ‘A’ grade figures with 3/25 from 4.4 overs. 

Ladder (after round 9)

Aldgate 42, Stirling 39, Kangarilla 39, Mount Lofty 36, Meadows 27, Uraidla 18, Scott Creek Ironbank 12, Bridgewater 3.

Round 10 fixture (home team named first)

Meadows v Aldgate

Scott Creek Ironbank v Uraidla

Kangarilla v Bridgewater

Mount Lofty v Stirling