Mount Compass moved up to fifth position on the ladder after defeating Yankalilla by 31 runs at Burgess Oval on Saturday during round nine action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). Shannon Jones top scored for the Bulls with 53 from 65 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while James Colley (31) and Ethan Anderson (26) made handy contributions towards their score of 7/166 from 40 overs. Yankalilla captain Aaron Smith took 2/21 from seven overs. Yankalilla’s run chase never got going as they slumped to 8/60 with Bailey Baldock (3/34), Adam Blakely (2/0), Riley Tonkin (2/13) and Aaron Dalitz (2/43) wreaking havoc. Trent Starke (39) and Ashley Madden (23 not out) put a bit of respect on the scoreboard as they helped lift their side to a final total of 135. 

Port Elliot remained top of the ladder after a comfortable 83-run win over McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale. The Bloods batted first and posted a very competitive total of 6/231 from their 40 overs. The star of the innings was all-rounder Ben Griffiths who top scored with 82 not out from 89 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), and he was well supported by Joel Harris (44) with this pair putting on 81 runs for the fourth wicket. Evan Clark (2/34) and Kevin Grant (2/39) were the multiple wicket takers for the Crushers. Grant (33), Matthew Aston (27) and Zac Hodges (25) all made handy contributions, but no batsman went on to make a big score as McLaren Districts were bowled out for 148. Six Port Elliot bowlers took wickets with Levi Stringer (3/31), Griffiths (2/24) and Darcy Paech (2/36) the leading wicket takers.

Noarlunga won their third game in a row after defeating Victor Harbor by 117 runs. The Shoes batted first with Matthew Spaan (22) adding 65 for the second wicket with skipper Michael Ledgard, before Jamie Diener joined Ledgard in the middle. This pair added 112 for the third wicket before Ledgard was cruelly run-out at the non-strikers end for 94 from 95 balls (10 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Diener continued on to top score with 110 from just 62 balls (4 x 4’s, 9 x 6’s) as Noarlunga posted 6/250. Rishiketh Satharia took 2/36 (6) for the Vipers. ‘Victor’ battled hard in the run chase to finish their 40 overs on 7/133 with Harry Steele top scoring with 49 (57), while Lachlan Hill (31) and Cameron Jones (25) made handy contributions. Teenage spinner Leo McKenna took 3/27 (7) for the Shoes, while Ben Stewart-Tonkin (2/21) was the other multiple wicket taker.  

Encounter Bay won their fourth game on the trot after a convincing 133-run victory against Willunga. The Bays batted first at home with English recruit Matt Smalley-Harris top scoring with 78 (12 x 4’s), while Lachie Barrett (38 not out) and Cam Lintern (37) chimed in to lift the home side to 6/244 from their 40 overs. Ramesh Antony (2/38) was the leading wicket taker for the Demons. Willunga were never in the hunt during the run chase with Jing Li (35) and Antony (23) the only batsmen to pass 20 as the visitors were bowled out in the 31st over for 111. Sunny Osmont was the pick of the Encounter Bay bowlers with 4/18 (6.5), while veteran Sam Hoffmann snared 2/28 (7). 

Goolwa had the bye.

Ladder (after round 9)

Port Elliot 43, Encounter Bay 40, Noarlunga 39, Goolwa 36, Mt Compass 27, Yankalilla 25, McLaren Districts 12, Willunga 6, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 10 (7/2/26 - 1 day games)

Noarlunga v Goolwa

Yankalilla v McLaren Districts 

Willunga v Mt Compass

Port Elliot v Encounter Bay

Victor Harbor has the bye