Mylor won their second game of the season with a convincing 10-wicket victory over Kangarilla during round 12 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) on Saturday at Mylor. Former first-class cricketer Tom Plant was a big inclusion for Mylor and he played his part with 48 not out from 85 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as the home team chased down Kangarilla’s paltry total of 81 in the 24th over. Plant was well supported by his opening partner Shane Maslin (29 not out) in an 82-run opening stand. Earlier, Kangarilla won the toss and elected to bat first with Che Martinsen and Carlos Venter adding 49 runs for the first wicket before Venter was dismissed for 21 (53 balls). Martinsen went on to top score with 34 (69 balls) but when he was dismissed, ‘Kangies’ lost 9/18 to be bowled out for 81 in the 36th over. Thomas Jensen bowled an excellent spell to finish with 4/15 (9) and he was well supported by Jesse Cooper (3/10) and Michael Warburton (2/22).

Bridgewater won their second consecutive match following a five-wicket win over Mount Lofty at Heathfield on Saturday. The win puts the Raiders just one win outside the top-four with six rounds remaining in the season. Mount Lofty batted first and never got any momentum in their innings with Adam Carthew (34) the only Redcaps batsman to pass 20. It was the Raiders’ spinners that did all the damage with Justin Summerill (3/6) and Finn Sullivan-Llewellyn (3/17) sharing six wickets as Mount Lofty were dismissed for just 95. Bridgewater started their run chase in disastrous fashion as they slumped to 4/18, with Carthew doing most of the damage with 3/15 (6). Liam Sutcliffe (8) helped Jackson Hooper add 24 runs for the fifth wicket, but there was still plenty of work to be done at 5/42. Tom Miller (15 not out) joined Hooper in a crucial sixth-wicket stand worth 59 runs that saw Bridgewater get home in the 29th over. Hooper finished with 51 not out from 72 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). 

Stirling consolidated their spot in the top-four with a convincing seven-wicket win at Uraidla. The Demons batted first with Michael Parker (55 not out), and Tom Bassett (44) the mainstays in Uraidla’s innings of 7/167. Chris Shaw (2/35), Jack Read (1/8), Harrison Webb (1/15), and Jack Pick (1/36) were the wicket takers for Stirling. The Eagles got off to a great start with Daniel Gonzalez and Jack Read putting on 111 runs for the first wicket in just 14 overs, before Read went for a hard-hitting 62 from 39 balls (8 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Gonzalez went on to score 62 not out (73 balls) as Webb brought up the winning runs in the 25th over with a six! Tom Proctor (2/16) and Daniel McDonough (1/37) were the wicket takers for Uraidla.

Meadows moved to the top of the HCA ladder after defeating Aldgate in a high scoring encounter at Aldgate Oval. The home side batted first with Shaun Atkins 78 not out (2 x 4’s, 7 x 6’s), Jake Turnbull 77 (5 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s), and Mitch Thomas 54 (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6) the leading lights as the ‘Gaters’ posted 4/251 from their 45 overs. Meadows skipper Rohan Reid was the pick of the Bulldogs bowlers with 2/16 from seven overs. Meadows were always ahead of the run rate in the chase, but at 4/130 a partnership was needed as Simon Bates joined Reid at the crease. This pair added 61 runs for the fifth wicket before Bates went for 35. Two more wickets fell as Meadows were 7/218 with 34 more runs required for victory. Reid was still at the crease as he brought up his hundred and then the winning runs with a six to see the Bulldogs to victory in the 43rd over. Reid finished on 124 not out (15 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s), his fourth century this season. Reid now has 664 runs at an average of 166 with six rounds remaining! Turnbull was easily the best Aldgate bowler with 2/28 (9), while Henry Brasher took 2/46 (7). 

Scott Creek Ironbank had the bye.

Ladder - after round 12

Meadows 45, Mount Lofty 42, Stirling 42, Aldgate 33, Kangarilla 33, Scott Creek Ironbank 30, Bridgewater 27, Mylor 18, Uraidla 18.

Round 13 fixtures (28/1/23) - home team named first

Aldgate v Mount Lofty

Scott Creek Ironbank v Bridgewater

Meadows v Uraidla

Stirling v Mylor

Kangarilla has the bye