Myponga-Sellicks continued their excellent start back in ‘A’ grade ranks with a five-wicket win at home against Yankalilla during round two action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). The Mudlarks sit on top of the ladder after their second win from as many games. On Saturday, Yankalilla batted first and made their way to 1/34 with Doug Jones (21) and Travis Bartlett (14) putting together a nice partnership. This was as good as it got for the Tigers as they lost their last 9/37 to be bowled out for just 71. Vinnie Nizzola (3/11), Ryan Banning (2/3), Sean Haverty (2/9) and Kobe Dooley (2/22) were the leading wicket takers for Myponga-Sellicks. The Mudlarks lost a couple of early wickets to slip to 2/4 as young opening bowler Ryan Borlace (2/14) did the damage. Ryan Haverty (24 not out) steadied the innings as the runs were knocked off in the 29th over. Aaron Smith (2/10) was the other multiple wicket taker for Yankalilla.

Noarlunga won their first game of 2022/23 following a five-wicket win against reigning premier Willunga at Old Noarlunga. It was a low scoring game with 16 wickets falling for 156 runs on the day. Willunga batted first and were in early trouble at 3/14 before James Whetstone and Simon Roberts came together to add 33 runs for the fourth wicket. Roberts continued on to top score with 31, but the Demons lost their last 7/30 to be bowled out for 77 in the 38th over. Four Noarlunga bowlers took wickets with Ben Stewart-Tonkin (3/5), Travis Bronstein (3/9) and Harry Jackson (2/14) leading the way. Skipper Jason Scarff bowled a miserly opening spell of eight overs to finish with figures of 0/2 (6 maidens). The Shoes started their reply well with Jason Scarff and Travis Bronstein (17) adding 43 runs for the second wicket before three quick wickets to Roberts (3/9) had Noarlunga at 4/54. Scarff settled the chase as he finished with 37 not out with the winning runs coming up in the 36th over. 

McLaren Districts remained undefeated after two rounds with a 42-run win at Encounter Bay. The Crushers batted first and made 6/151 from their 40 overs. Justin Twartz (32) and Antony Natale (32) added 52 runs for the first wicket, while Mark Elphick hit a valuable 28 not out (37 balls) at the end of the innings to lift his side past 150. Kieran Garrett (2/10) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Bays. The home side were never in the hunt in the run chase with only veterans Cam Lintern (47) and Sam Hoffmann (23) passing 10 runs as the Bays were bowled out in the 37th over for 109. All five Crushers bowlers took wickets with Jett Holberton (3/21) the leading light. He was well supported by Elphick (2/18), Stephen Nairn (2/21) and Jacob Banks (2/30). 

Mount Compass won their first game of the season with a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Aldinga at Burgess Oval. Aldinga batted first with Wade Sutherland (35) and Ashley Pellatt (21) the leading batsmen as their side battled their way to a total of 108 before being bowled out in the 34th over. Bailey Baldock (3/16), Matthew Sparrow (2/21) and Josh Dalitz (2/25) were the leading wicket takers for ‘Compass’. The Bulls were relatively untroubled in the run chase as they knocked off the target in 31 overs. Paul Barrett (42 not out) led the way with support from Rob Martin (19 not out), James Colley (19) and Scott McAvaney (18). Pellatt was the pick of the Aldinga bowlers with 1/14 from eight overs.

Goolwa joined Myponga-Sellicks and McLaren Districts as undefeated sides through two rounds after a hard-fought 11-run win against local rival Port Elliot. Goolwa batted first and battled their way to 7/126 after 40 overs. The Magpies had several contributors including Andy Evans (24), Sam Carlyle (24) and James Lawrence (21). Five Port Elliot bowlers took wickets with veteran Simon Donaldson the pick of them with 3/16 (5). Port Elliot were in early trouble at 3/13 before Colby Whitbourne hit a quickfire 28 (1 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Finn Hayden (21) and Tyson Somerfield (17) kept the Bloods in it, but ultimately they were bowled out in the 39th over for 115. Goolwa were led well with the ball by Josh Jones (3/12) and skipper Jayden Crees (3/15).

Ladder - after round 2

Myponga-Sellicks 12, Goolwa 12, McLaren Districts 12, Port Elliot 6, Mount Compass 6, Noarlunga 6, Yankalilla 6, Willunga 0, Encounter Bay 0, Aldinga 0.

Round 3 fixtures (2-day games - home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Willunga

Goolwa v Noarlunga

Yankalilla v Port Elliot

Aldinga v McLaren Districts

Myponga-Sellicks v Mount Compass