McLaren Districts has moved within a win of the top four after defeating Mount Compass by two wickets at McLaren Vale as round five of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) wound up on Saturday. The Crushers resumed day two on 1/6 in pursuit of Mount Compass’ day one total of 137. Ben Worrall (21) and Daniel Bruce (59) got the home side off to a great start by adding 69 for the second wicket. Two run-outs and some excellent bowling from Josh Murfitt (3/60), reduced McLaren to 6/110 and Mount Compass had a bit of a sniff of an unlikely victory. The Crushers steadied to take the win and move up to sixth spot on the ladder.

Willunga have cruised to the first outright victory of the GSCA season with a crushing 10-wicket victory over Myponga at Myponga Oval. The Mudlarks resumed day two at 6/88 in their second innings, a slender lead of 23 runs and the Demons wasted no time in wrapping up the tail to bowl Myponga out for 96 leaving Willunga just 32 runs to get for the outright win. Willunga shared the wickets around with Joel Docking (2/4), Brad Miller (2/7) and Dylan Kay (2/12) the multiple wicket takers. The runs were knocked off in just seven overs as Willunga’s openers Luke Golding (17 not out) and Luke Goldner (16 not out) ensured an early finish at Myponga.

Goolwa has consolidated their spot in the top four after notching its third win of the season with a comprehensive 126-run win over local rival Port Elliot. The Magpies were defending their day one total of 5/204 and were untroubled as they bowled the Bloods out for just 78 in 44 overs. Ben Griffiths with 25 (50 balls) was the only batsman to pass 20 for Port Elliot. Opening bowler Josh Jones was the star with the ball for Goolwa snaring 5/13 (16), his eighth five-wicket haul in ‘A’ grade competition. He was ably supported by Jayden Crees who took 3/35 (19).

Noarlunga remain undefeated and on top of the ladder following an excellent 92-run victory over Encounter Bay at Noarlunga Oval. The Shoes made 7/218 on day one after a debut century to David Scarff and started day two well, reducing Encounter Bay to 3/34 including the dismissal of opener Jason Parry for 24. No other batsman made double figures except for skipper Cam Lintern who made a fine 61 to hold the innings together. Eventually Encounter Bay were bowled out for 126 by a very disciplined Noarlunga bowling group. Skipper Jason Scarff bowled a marathon 23 overs and captured 5/34 and he was ably supported by Matthew Ray who took 2/53 (19). “It was really pleasing to see my brother David get his first ‘A’ grade hundred last week,” said Noarlunga skipper Jason Scarff. “We’ve always known he can bat and he just went to another level being very patient and playing beautiful cricket shots. We were very disciplined with the ball and fielded solidly with David’s direct hit run-out of Cam Lintern from the boundary a real highlight”

You can find the GSCA ladders at the link below…

http://gsca.sa.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/ladder.aspx?mode=0&id=RV_LAD&entityid=12879

There are no games scheduled in the GSCA this weekend due to the Adelaide test match between Australia and Pakistan which gets underway tomorrow (29/11).