Myponga-Sellicks and Willunga played out a thrilling low-scoring tie at Myponga during round five action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) on Saturday. The game was interrupted by rain on day one (19/11), with just 10 overs bowled and the Mudlarks sitting on 1/10 at stumps. The game was further reduced on day two to 35 overs per side with Myponga-Sellicks finishing on 9/85. Michael Tomlinson (24 not out) and Bradley Hill (21) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Simon Roberts (2/20), Daniel Hockham (2/21) and Tom Williamson (2/21) were the leading wicket takers for the Demons. It was tough going for Willunga in the run chase with Jasper Raftery (26 not out), Rhys Allard (19) and Simon Roberts (15) all making handy contributions as Willunga ultimately ended their 35 overs on 8/85. Four Mudlarks’ bowlers took wickets with Euan Maclachlan the standout with the excellent figures of 5/17 (11).

Encounter Bay moved into the top-six on the ladder after defeating Aldinga outright by an innings and four runs. Aldinga batted first on their home deck and compiled a score of 123 before being bowled out in the 58th over. Chris Butler was the destroyer for the Bays with 6/27 from 18 overs. He was well supported by his skipper Blake Bailey who snared 3/18 (16.4). The visitors were on the hunt for quick runs in their reply as they made 6/166 (declared) to take a first innings lead of 43 runs. Cam Lintern put on a hitting display with a top scoring 56. His innings included three boundaries and five ‘maximums’. Bailey (32) and Jake Austin (31 not out) also chipped in with some handy runs. Aldinga were no match for the Bays in their second dig as they were rolled for just 39 inside 23 overs. Zac Thompson (4/22), Bailey (3/9) and Kieran Garrett (2/1) were the multiple wicket takers for the Bays.

Noarlunga won their second game of the season after defeating Mount Compass by 91 runs at Burgess Oval on Saturday. After the first day was washed out, the game was a one-day match with the game reduced to 35 overs per side. The Shoes were sent in and posted a very competitive total of 3/192. Skipper Jason Scarff led the way for the Shoes, top scoring with 61 (10 x 4’s), while Matthew Spaan (43 not out), David Scarff (40) and Phil Hicks (26 not out) provided excellent support. Robert Martin took all three wickets to fall to finish with 3/62 (14 overs) for the Bulls. The Shoes were on top from the start with ‘Compass’ slipping to 3/11 and the home side never recovered as they were bowled out in the 34th over for 101. James Colley (24) and Joel Webber (20) were the only Bulls batsmen to reach 20. Jamie Keers was the standout bowler for Noarlunga with figures of 5/22 (10). He was well supported by opening partner Harry Jackson who took 2/17 (6). 

Goolwa remained undefeated following their 39-run win against Yankalilla. The first day was washed out so the teams played a 40-over one-day match with the Magpies batting first. It was tough going for Goolwa with Yankalilla bowling tightly as the visitors posted 5/138 from their 40 overs. Josh Jones was the standout for Goolwa with a patient and crucial 51 not out. Andy Evans (21), Luke Giddings (19) and Vic Robertson (18) also made handy contributions for the Magpies. ‘Yank’ were in all sorts of strife early as they slumped to 4/19 with Goolwa skipper Jayden Crees again proving a handful with 4/24 (9). Crees now has 23 wickets for the season. Aaron Smith (19) provided some resistance but in the end, the Tigers were overwhelmed as they were bowled out for 99 in the 34th over. Luke Bartlett top scored for Yankalilla with 44 not out. Josh Andrewartha (2/10) and Evans (2/13) were the other multiple wicket takers for Goolwa.

Port Elliot moved up to third spot on the ladder with their fourth win of the season, a five-wicket triumph over McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale. The Crushers batted first and were under early pressure with both openers dismissed and the score at 2/9. Jim Ryan and skipper Luke Goodieson then added 33 runs for the third wicket before Ryan went for 15. The best partnership of the innings came for the sixth wicket with Mark Elphick (29 from 33 balls) and Goodieson adding 45 runs as the home side reached 8/120 from their 40 overs. Goodieson top scored with 36 from 111 balls. Five Port Elliot bowlers took wickets including Scott Hannam (2/11), Liam Harris (2/16) and Luke Collett (2/31). Port Elliot were soon in trouble as they slipped to 4/38 in the run chase with McLaren Districts fast bowler Jim Ryan doing the damage with 3/26 (10). Ryan is having a good debut season in the GSCA with 15 wickets and 115 runs after five rounds. A partnership was needed for Port Elliot and skipper Joel Harris (33) and David Ling provided it with a 74-run union for the fifth wicket that all but sealed victory for the Bloods. Ling finished with 43 not out (61 balls) as the target was reached with two overs to spare. Jacob Banks was the other wicket taker for the Crushers with 2/48 (17). 

Ladder - after round 5

Goolwa 30, McLaren Districts 25, Port Elliot 24, Myponga-Sellicks 24, Encounter Bay 19, Noarlunga 15, Yankalilla 9, Mount Compass 6, Willunga 6, Aldinga 0.

Round 6 fixtures (2-day games - home team named first)

Goolwa v Myponga-Sellicks

Noarlunga v Aldinga

Encounter Bay v Yankalilla

Willunga v McLaren Districts

Port Elliot v Mount Compass