Round one of the Meyer Shield was played today in hot conditions at Meadows, Kangarilla and Flagstaff Hill. The games were reduced to 40 overs per side with the earlier start time of 9.00am due to the heat.

Reigning champion Hills Cricket Association (HCA) took on Murray Towns Cricket Association (MTCA) at Meadows with Murray Towns batting first and posting 8/132 from their allotted overs. MTCA skipper Aaron Zrim, after being dropped before he scored, top scored with 39 while John Zadow chipped in with 24 not out. Five Hills bowlers took wickets with Frank Clements (2/11), Renzo Gaetan (2/14) and Rohan Reid (2/33) the multiple wicket takers. Hills knocked off the runs in the 32nd over for the loss of just four wickets. Opening batsman Haydn Reid (60 not out) top scored for the HCA while Aaron Smith (23), skipper Jake Turnbull (17) and Rohan Reid (16) made handy contributions. Zrim (2/22) was the pick of the MTCA bowlers.

Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) overcame a poor start to win comfortably by 70 runs against Torrens Valley Cricket Association (TVCA) at Flagstaff Hill. AEHCA batted first and were in trouble early as they slipped to 4/47 before two good partnerships helped them to a competitive 7/193 from their 40 overs. Skipper Shaun Tait (48 from 48 balls) joined Ben Matthews in a 61-run fifth wicket partnership before Luke Timmins (23 from 24 balls) put on 69 runs for the sixth wicket with Matthews. Matthews played an excellent innings of 74 from 111 balls to hold the AEHCA innings together. Shaun Atkins took 3/41 (8) for Torrens Valley while Cam Sumner was very economical with 1/14 (8). Torrens Valley were never really in the run chase as they were bowled out in the 39th over for 123. Cam Sumner was the mainstay of the TVCA innings as he made 46 from 89 balls before being run out. Unfortunately for Torrens Valley, no other batsmen could reach 20. AEHCA opening bowler Troy Blackwell continued his excellent season to snare 4/18 (7.3) while off-spinner Mitch Weeks took 3/33 (8).

Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) defeated Kangaroo Island Cricket Association (KICA) by 38 runs at Kangarilla after Kangaroo Island fell short in pursuit of Great Southern’s total of 7/169. Great Southern were in a bit of trouble as they batted first and slipped to 5/72 in the 23rd over. Luke Goodieson (35) and Colby Whitbourne (25) added 40 for the second wicket before Luke Goldner and Joel Harris (9) came together for an important 41-run stand for the sixth wicket. Goldner went on to top score with 40 from 54 balls while Jesse Consalvo (33 not out) and Sean McIvor (11 not out) lifted the tempo at the end with a 28-run partnership from just 15 balls. Five Kangaroo Island bowlers took wickets with Blair Wickham (2/23) the pick of them. KI were in all sorts of trouble early as they slumped to 2/4 with McIvor taking both wickets on his way to excellent figures of 3/12 (8). Rhys Bullard (34) and Zac Trethewey then added 50 for the third wicket to steady the ship before Bill Willson (16) then put on 41 for the 4th wicket with Trethewey as Kangaroo Island reached 3/95 and they were right back in the game. GSCA struck back hard through excellent spells from Luke Goldner (2/23) and Blake Bailey (3/19) with Bailey claiming the big wicket of Trethewey who top scored with 45 from 64 balls. KI lost their last 7/36 to be bowled out for 131.

Round two games are again 40 overs per side with the games to start at 9.00am. Tuesday’s final is scheduled to be a 50-over game at Kangarilla starting at 10.00am. Murraylands Football and Netball sporting results will live stream the AEHCA v KICA match from Meadows tomorrow from 9.00am.

Round 2 (Sunday 24/1/21 - 9.00am)

Alexandra & Eastern Hills v Kangaroo Island (Meadows)

Hills v Great Southern (Kangarilla)

Murray Towns v Torrens Valley (Flagstaff Hill)