Goolwa moved up to fourth spot on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Encounter Bay by 22 runs in a low-scoring affair at Encounter Bay on Saturday. Goolwa batted first with Matt Overall (47) and Andy Evans (23) the mainstays of the Magpies innings as they reached a total of 139 before being bowled out in the 40th over. Sunny Osmont (4/26), Lachie Barrett (3/37) and Blake Bailey (2/30) were the multiple wicket takers for Encounter Bay. The Bays got off to a disastrous start in the run chase as they slumped to 3/1 in the third over. The home side recovered through Osmont (46), Finn Magor (17) and Cam Lintern (17) as they reached 4/81. But once Lintern was dismissed, the Bays lost 6/36 to be bowled out for 117 in the 39th over. Josh Jones led the Goolwa attack with 4/46 from 19 overs and he was well supported by Overall (2/32) and Chris Bailey (2/0).

McLaren Districts won their second game of the season with a convincing 10-wicket victory against Victor Harbor. ‘Victor’ struggled batting first with Luke Harding the only player to reach double figures as they were bowled out for just 71. Harding top scored with 45 from 94 balls (2 x 4’s). George Beard was the star with the ball for the Crushers with 6/19 (8.4), while Stephen Nairn chipped in with 2/16 (8). McLaren Districts knocked off the runs in the 17th over with Zac Hodges (49 not out) and Bailey Winter (33 not out) seeing their side home. 

The Mt Compass v Noarlunga and Yankalilla v Port Elliot games were both abandoned due to the weather. 

Willunga had the bye.

Ladder (after round 5)

Port Elliot 25, Mt Compass 21, Noarlunga 21, Goolwa 18, Encounter Bay 12, McLaren Districts 12, Yankalilla 9, Willunga 6, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 6 (6/12/25 & 13/12/25 - 2 day games)

Victor Harbor v Encounter Bay 

Goolwa v McLaren Districts

Willunga v Yankalilla

Port Elliot v Mt Compass

Noarlunga has the bye