Meadows were the big winners during round eight action of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA). The inclement weather meant the Meadows v Uraidla game was the only game completed for the round with the Bulldogs winning by 34 runs. Meadows batted first with Kris Dawe (43), Rohan Reid (42) and Haydn Reid (22) leading the way as the home side posted a competitive 7/166 from their 40 overs. Five Uraidla bowlers took wickets with Thomas Bassett (2/32) and Renzo Gaetan (2/35) the multiple wicket takers for the Demons. Uraidla were under immediate pressure as they slipped to 4/31 with Gus Frazer (2/12) doing the early damage. Gaetan (34) and Ryan Hunter (30) fought hard to get their side back into the contest with a 52-run stand for the fifth wicket before Hunter was dismissed by Max Buckley. Buckley snared another two wickets to finish with 3/22 from seven overs. Kris Dawe (2/27) was the other multiple wicket taker while his brother Chad (1/32) picked up a wicket in his 250th match for the Bulldogs. 

Stirling hosted Flagstaff Hill with the game sadly being abandoned at the innings break after the Eagles had posted a good total of 9/162 from their 40 overs. The home side were in early trouble at 3/23 before Daniel Gonzalez (24) and skipper Jack Pick (22) attempted to resurrect the innings but when they were both dismissed, Stirling were precariously placed at 5/67. Veteran Pete Fryer joined Jacob Kemp in an innings-saving partnership worth 78 runs before Kemp went for 30 from 72 balls (2 x 4’s). Fryer continued on to top score with 55 not out from just 51 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Fryer has now scored 137 runs and is yet to be dismissed in 2020/21! Max Renfrey continued his good recent form to take 3/18 (8) while Jack Walton (2/27) and skipper Jacob Lemon (2/27) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Falcons.

Aldgate were denied victory by the rain in their clash with Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Aldgate Oval. SCIB won the toss and batted first and were in all sorts of trouble early as they crumbled to 5/10 with Matty Hansen (4/9) ripping through the top order. Hansen won the HCA A1 bowling aggregate last season and he now leads the wicket taker list after eight rounds with 15 wickets at an average of just 7.93. Teenagers Connor Lidstone (31) and Zane Lewis (33) came together and added a face saving 69 runs for the sixth wicket as SCIB batted out their 40 overs to finish with 9/106. Veteran Perry ‘Chainsaw’ Edwards was the other multiple wicket taker with 2/18 from six overs. Aldgate were 0/12 in reply during the third over when the rain hit calling an early end to the game.

Only 41 balls play was possible at Kangarilla on Saturday as Mount Lofty headed south for a much anticipated clash. The Redcaps batted first and were going well at 1/32 before rain stopped play for the day. Ryan Grimmond (1/11) removed James Kittel-Neill (5) while former SA under 19 player Henry Dall finished on 24 not out (23 balls) on debut for Mount Lofty. Dall was in the Redcaps lineup as he recovers from injury and his district side East Torrens had a bye.

Ladder (after round 8)

Aldgate 27, Flagstaff Hill 27, Kangarilla 21, Meadows 18, Mount Lofty 18, Stirling 15, Uraidla 12, Scott Creek Ironbank 6.

Round 9 fixtures (home teams named first)

Stirling v Meadows

Aldgate v Uraidla

Mount Lofty v Flagstaff Hill

Kangarilla v Scott Creek Ironbank