Meadows kept their finals aspirations well and truly alive with a comfortable six-wicket victory against Aldgate during round 10 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Meadows on Saturday. The ‘Gaters’ batted first and were soon in trouble with opening batsmen Mitch Thomas (6) and Josh Callaghan (3) both dismissed by Meadows skipper Rohan Reid (2/30) to leave Aldgate at 2/10. Luke Smet (15) joined Jake Turnbull in a 32-run stand for the third wicket, before Angas Wauchope and Turnbull put on 63 runs for the fourth wicket. Turnbull went for 43 (77 balls), while Wauchope went on to top score with 59 not out (70 balls). Will Quigley-Smith added 21 (16 balls) at the end to see Aldgate to 5/160 from its 40 overs. Brad Louch (1/22), Anthony Hughes (1/41) and Chad Dawe (1/44) were the other wicket takers for Meadows, while Tom Bevan-Giles bowled a miserly spell to finish with figures of 0/16 (8). Meadows began their run chase well with Haydn Reid (28) and Luke Tonkin (9) putting on 41 for the first wicket before Aldgate struck back with three quick wickets to see Meadows in trouble at 3/48 in the 12th over. Teenager Oscar Tydeman (15) joined Rohan Reid and this pair put the Bulldogs back on top with a 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Chad Dawe (12 not out) and Reid saw Meadows over the line in the 35th over with Reid top scoring with 56 not out from 75 balls (8 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Matt Lennon was the pick of the Aldgate bowlers with his best ‘A’ grade figures of 3/23 (8). 

Kangarilla won their third game in a row and in the process took over top spot on the HCA ladder with a tight 19-run win at home against Bridgewater. ‘Kangies’ batted first and were in early trouble at 2/18 when youngsters Lachlan Knight and Ben Evans got together to resurrect the innings. This pair put on 56 runs for the third wicket before Knight was dismissed for 38 (67 balls). Evans was joined by Ryan Grimmond in another excellent partnership of 75 for the fourth wicket. Grimmond scored a quickfire 54 from just 35 balls (6 x 4’s), while Evans went on to top score with 65 from 89 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Kangarilla finished with a very competitive total of 7/205 from their 40 overs. Veterans Luke Hoyle (3/22) and Anthony Jennings (2/35) were the pick of the Raiders bowlers. Bridgewater’s opening pair of Hoyle and Justin Summerill got their side off to a fantastic start with a 128-run opening stand with Summerill scoring 72 from 109 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x6) and Hoyle completing an excellent all-round game with 61 from 69 balls (3 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Unfortunately for Bridgewater, once these two were dismissed things fell apart as they lost their last 10 wickets for just 58 runs to be dismissed for 186 in the 40th over. Troy Martinsen did most of the damage with career-best figures of 6/39 from 6.1 overs. He was well supported by Ben Evans who finished with 3/34 from his eight-over spell. 

Reigning premier Mount Lofty moved up to second spot on the HCA ladder with a comprehensive six-wicket win over Stirling at Heathfield Oval. Stirling batted first with Kosta Sinodinos (36), Myles Collins (35) and Pete Fryer (32) the mainstays of the Eagles innings. No other player reached double figures as the visitors were bowled out for 144 in the 40th over. All six Redcaps bowlers took wickets with Adam Carthew (2/27) and Will Healey (2/28) the multiple wicket takers. The Redcaps’ batting lineup was strengthened by regular East Torrens ‘A’ grade batsman Henry Dall, and he and Josh Healey (27) started well with a 49-run opening partnership. Mount Lofty skipper Jordan Neis-Beer joined Dall to add 54 runs for the second wicket before Dall went for 47 from 58 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Neis-Beer continued on to make 39 not out (65 balls) as the winning runs came up in just the 28th over. Jack Read (2/22) was the only multiple wicket taker for Stirling.

Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) won their third game of the season with a thrilling four-wicket win at Cherry Gardens against Uraidla. The game came down to the last over with SCIB needing seven runs to win. The equation was reduced to two runs required from two balls with Ben McGowan on strike to Ben Brumby. McGowan ended up the hero as he hit the first ball he faced for a boundary to bring up the win. Earlier in the day, Uraidla batted first and posted a competitive total of 6/175 from their 40 overs. Alex Heptinstall (45), Peter Wilson (39), Ty Watson (37) and Michael Parker (27) led the way with the bat for the Demons. Veteran Andy Adams was the standout bowler for the home side with 3/20 from his eight-over spell, while Danny Coleman took 2/30 (7). Adams (32) and Tom Watton (25) started well with a 49-run opening stand but once this pair was dismissed, SCIB slumped to 5/92 in the 29th over. Enter Aaron Thompson to join Adam Shearwood in what would be a match-defining partnership as they added 79 runs for the sixth wicket before Thompson was dismissed in the final over for a hard-hitting 56 from 41 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Shearwood made 36 not out (48 balls) before McGowan finished the game in style. In his first game for Uraidla, Watson took 3/29 from his eight overs.

The season now pauses for the Christmas/New Year period with the competition to resume on Saturday January 8.

Ladder (after round 10)

Kangarilla 45, Mount Lofty 42, Aldgate 42, Stirling 39, Meadows 33, Uraidla 18, Scott Creek Ironbank 18, Bridgewater 3.

Round 11 fixture* (home team named first)

Bridgewater v Aldgate

Stirling v Scott Creek Ironbank

Mount Lofty v Uraidla

Kangarilla v Meadows

*Saturday 8 January 2022