Mt Compass kept their finals hopes alive with a thrilling one-wicket win against Myponga-Sellicks during round nine action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Myponga on Saturday. Myponga-Sellicks batted first with Mathew Crawford (26), Scott McMahon (22) and Ryan Haverty (20) leading the way as the Mudlarks posted 8/150 from their 40 overs. Robert Martin (2/18) andJosh Dalitz (2/21) were the multiple wicket takers for Mt Compass. ‘Compass’ started the run chase well as they reached 1/73 through Josh Murfitt (44 from 37 balls) and Jamarley Daley (25 from 43 balls), who added 64 runs for the second wicket. The game seemed well in control for the visitors before Myponga-Sellicks’ seam bowler Josh Badenhorst (4/25) precipitated a collapse of 7/27 to leave the visitors reeling at 8/100 as Martin joined teenager Jamie Wirth at the crease. Martin bludgeoned a quickfire 28 from just 15 balls (6 x 4’s), while Wirth played an excellent supporting role with 33 not out (75 balls) as this pair put on 44 runs for the ninth wicket to leave just seven runs for victory as number 11 Bailey Baldock came to the crease. Baldock (0 not out) survived 14 balls before Wirth hit a boundary to bring up the win with 16 balls to spare. Ryan Haverty (2/33) and Ryan Banning (2/42) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Mudlarks. 

Encounter Bay consolidated their position in the top-four with a tight 10-run win against McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale on Saturday. The Bays batted first with opening batsman David Schulze continuing his recent good form as he made 45 from 86 balls (3 x 4’s), but when he was dismissed, the visitors were in strife at 6/97. Chris Butler joined his skipper Blake Bailey (23) in a 46-run seventh wicket union which ultimately helped lift the Bays to 8/164 from their 40 overs. Butler finished with a very important 36 not out (29 balls). George Beard was the best of the Crushers bowlers with 3/20 (8) and he was well supported by Bailey Winter (2/24) and Stephen Nairn (2/36). McLaren Districts got themselves into a good position at 3/88 in the run chase with Daniel Petrucci (23) and skipper Justin Twartz (20) making handy contributions, before a collapse of 4/0 left them in trouble at 7/88. Teenager Winter (33) and Matthew Treloar (21) then combined for a valuable 47-run partnership, but it wasn’t enough as the Crushers finished on 9/154. Luke Crichton (3/20) and Kieran Garrett (3/34) were the leading wicket takers for Encounter Bay. 

Noarlunga remained top of the ladder after a comfortable nine-wicket win against Victor Harbor at Old Noarlunga. Victor Harbor batted first and were in all sorts of trouble as they slumped to 4/8 with Jamie Diener doing the damage with figures of 3/11 (7). Kenny Sumner showed great resistance for the Vipers with a top scoring 55 not out from 84 balls (3 x 4’s) as the visitors struggled their way to 7/81 from their 40 overs. Jacob Banks (2/16) was the other multiple wicket taker for the Shoes. Noarlunga wasted no time in the run chase with Travis Bronstein and Matthew Spaan (22) putting on 56 runs for the first wicket, before Rohan Garrard (13 not out) joined Bronstein as the winning runs came up in the 18th over. Bronstein finished on 44 not out (47 balls). Harrison Medlen (1/17) was the wicket taker for ‘Victor’. 

Port Elliot consolidated second spot on the ladder with a convincing 130-run win against Yankalilla at Port Elliot. The Bloods batted first with Tyson Levy making his third half-century on the trot with 52 (42 balls) and he was well supported by Jaspa Tonkin (74 from 101) and skipper Joel Harris (57 not out from 55) as the home side put up an imposing 4/231 from their 40 overs. Young fast bowler Ryan Borlace was the pick of the Yankalilla bowlers with 2/21 from seven overs. Yankalilla got off to a solid start in the run chase with Aaron Smith (25) and Lachlan Whittlesea (16) putting on 41 runs for the first wicket. That was as good as it got for the Tigers though, as they lost 10/60 to be bowled out for 101 in the 32nd over. ‘Yank’ skipper Luke Bartlett top scored with 44 not out (65 balls). Five Port Elliot bowlers took wickets with teenager Levi Stringer snaring 3/16 (4.5) and Ben Martin 2/7 (6). 

Goolwa kept the pressure on for a top-two spot with a huge 195-run win against Willunga at Goolwa on Saturday. The Magpies batted first with their innings dominated by Matt Overall. Overall made 111 from 91 balls with his innings including 15 fours and three sixes. Josh Jones contributed a hard-hitting 46 not out (33), while Vic Robertson made 41 (53). Steven Mason was the pick of the Willunga bowlers with 1/19 (8). Willunga were no match for the Goolwa opening bowling attack as former Willunga premiership player Sean McIvor snared the fine figures of 6/23 from 6.4 overs. Jones completed a fine all-round game with 4/6 from six overs. 

Ladder (after round 9)

Noarlunga 52, Port Elliot 46, Goolwa 42, Encounter Bay 36, McLaren Districts 28, Yankalilla 27, Mt Compass 27, Myponga-Sellicks 22, Victor Harbor 6, Willunga 0.

Round 10 (1/2/25 - 1 day games)

Encounter Bay v Noarlunga

Willunga v Port Elliot

Mt Compass v Goolwa

Victor Harbor v Myponga Sellicks

Yankalilla v McLaren Districts