Mount Lofty started their premiership defence in style on Saturday with a comfortable nine-wicket win against Uraidla during round one action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA). The Redcaps broke a 32-year ‘A’ grade premiership drought last season and they went into round one with a similar side from that historic day in March. Uraidla made first use of their home ground and were in a seemingly good position at 1/79 with Thomas Bassett (28) and new recruit Peter Wilson (25) combining for a valuable 49-run stand for the second wicket. Mount Lofty were keeping things tight and they were rewarded as Uraidla collapsed, losing their last nine wickets for just 37 runs, to be bowled out in the 40th over for 116. James Kittel-Neill was the star with the ball for the Redcaps as he snared 5/19 (8). It was the second five-wicket haul of Kittel-Neill’s ‘A’ grade career. The ever-consistent Adam Carthew chimed in with 3/24 from 7.4 overs. The Redcaps wasted no time getting amongst it in the run chase as Josh Healey and Kittel-Neill (13) added 41 runs for the opening wicket in just 4.4 overs. Healey then completely took over as he smashed his way to an impressive 83 not out from just 55 balls. Healey’s innings contained 8 x 4’s and 5 x 6’s. Mount Lofty skipper Jordan Neis-Beer finished seven not out with the winning runs hit in just the 17th over. Simon Parker (1/30) was the sole wicket taker for Uraidla.

Kangarilla took a big scalp to open the season following their tight 14-run win at Meadows over the Bulldogs. The home side won the toss and decided to bowl first. William Bevan-Giles (2/41) picked up an early wicket, his first in ‘A’ grade ranks, as he removed Kangarilla skipper Che Martinsen for five. All-Rounder Steve Featherstone (25) was joined by teenager Lachlan Knight and this pair added 49 runs for the second wicket before ‘Feathers’ was dismissed. Knight was also involved in an important 55-run stand with Ben Evans (22) for the fourth wicket with Knight continuing on to make a fine 80 (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as ‘Kangies’ posted a competitive 5/176 from their 40 overs. Teenager Cade Long took 2/36 (8) in just his third ‘A’ grade game. Meadows started their run chase with regular opening pair Haydn Reid and Luke Tonkin and it was Reid who was first to go as he was dismissed by Ben Evans (1/21) for seven. Anthony Hughes (19), who was playing with his 13 year old son Jake, came in at number three and added 70 runs for the second wicket with Tonkin before Tonkin was dismissed for a fine 55 from 61 balls (5 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Skipper Rohan Reid (32) and Oscar Tydeman (17) then put on 31 for the fourth wicket but the required run rate was climbing and wickets started to fall as Kangarilla got on top. It became the ‘Ryan Grimmond Show’ as he took 4/46 (8) and also ran Brad Louch out as Meadows finished 14 runs short on 8/162. 

Daniel Gonzalez scored his fourth ‘A’ grade ton for Stirling as the Eagles opened their 2021/22 campaign with a solid 24-run win at Cherry Gardens against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB). Gonzalez has been a consistent run scorer in the competition for a number of years but last year he struggled and not surprisingly, so did Stirling. On Saturday, Gonzalez and Myles Collins opened the season with an excellent 101-run partnership with Collins contributing 46 from 80 balls. Kosta Sinodinos (20 not out) and Jack Pick (20) made handy contributions but it was ‘Speedy’ with his 101 from 123 balls (10 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) that was the star of the show as the Eagles posted 4/211 from their 40 overs. Aaron Thompson took 3/49 (8) in just his second game for SCIB. In response, the home side battled hard to bat out their 40 overs to finish on 8/187. Adam Shearwood, back at the club this season, was the backbone of the innings with 70 from 81 balls (11 x 4’s), while Daniel Desengo made 47 from 49 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Skipper Jack Pick took 3/36 and he was well supported by Sinodinos (2/18) and Jack Read (2/51).

Aldgate started their season in good style with a comfortable six-wicket win at home against newly promoted Bridgewater. Aldgate skipper Jake Turnbull sent the Raiders into bat and the visitors got off to a flyer with Luke Hoyle (36) and Justin Summerill (20) adding 54 runs for the first wicket before teenager Pete Bowen removed both openers. Bowen had an excellent debut with 2/20 from his eight overs. Rhys Jordan (22) and Liam Sutcliffe (47) then put the innings back on track with a 49-run fourth wicket stand which took Bridgewater to 3/111 and a score of 180+ looked on the cards. Once Jordan was dismissed the Raiders collapsed, losing their last 7/40 to be bowled out in the 38th over for 151. Charlie Morbey was also on debut for the ‘Gaters’ and he finished with 2/25 (4), while Turnbull (2/10) and Matty Hansen (2/31) were the other multiple wicket takers. Aldgate started their run chase in cautious fashion before Mitch Thomas (5) was dismissed by Rafferty Sullivan-Llewellyn (1/29) with the score at 1/12. Turnbull joined Josh Callaghan and this pair took the game away from Bridgewater with an 87-run second wicket stand before ‘Turbo’ was dismissed for 46 from 61 balls. Callaghan continued on to make 60 from 77 balls (2 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s) as the winning runs came up in the 37th over. In just his second ‘A’ grade game, young leg-spinner Finlay Sullivan-Llewellyn bowled well to take 2/21 from his eight overs.

Round 2 fixture (home team named first)

Uraidla v Aldgate

Scott Creek Ironbank v Meadows

Bridgewater v Mount Lofty

Stirling v Kangarilla

Ladder (after round 1)

Mount Lofty 6, Stirling 6, Aldgate 6, Kangarilla 6, Meadows 0, Bridgewater 0, Scott Creek Ironbank 0, Uraidla 0.