Reigning premier Noarlunga got their premiership defence off to a winning start in a low scoring game against Goolwa as the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) season got underway on Saturday. After winning the toss and sending Goolwa in, Noarlunga were well on top as Goolwa slipped to a disastrous 7/29 before a fine rearguard partnership between Shaun Burger (41) and James Ward (29) lifted the Magpies to a total of 106 at the end of their 40 overs. Jason Scarff (3/8) and the returning Sam Trapolino (3/19) were the best of the bowlers for the Shoes. After removing Jason Scarff and Anthony Burgess and with the score at 3/35, the Magpies had a bit of a sniff but a steadying 38-run patrnership between Paul Hicks (40) and David Scarff (16) brought Noarlunga close to the finish line and despite a couple of tense moments, the reigning premier got home with two wickets and an over to spare. Josh Jones bowled an excellent spell for Goolwa snaring 4/14 off his eight overs.

2018/19 runner-up Willunga headed to Encounter Bay and after winning the toss and bowling, looked like they would be chasing a sizeable total after the home team sat at 3/117 with Sam Hoffmann (63) and Cam Lintern (20) in control. A flurry of late wickets saw Encounter Bay finish on 9/140 from their 40 overs. Luke Goldner was excellent taking 3/23 and he was ably supported by Bradley Miller with 2/39. Simon Roberts was economical as always taking 1/15 from his eight overs. Willunga’s response was a disaster from the start as they slipped to 4/23 before eventually being bowled out for just 58 in the 25th over. Only Luke Harding (14) and Jake Austin (10) managed double figures for the visitors. Dillon Burns (4/5) and Chris Butler (3/8) were the chief destroyers on a very good day for the Encounter Bay attack.

Myponga’s return to ‘A’ grade ranks unfortunately didn’t go to plan as they were completely outplayed by McLaren Districts at Myponga. After winning the toss and batting, Myponga were dismissed for just 53 with Trent Ormsby top scoring with 16. Bodie Wilson (5/15) did most of the damage for McLaren Districts with Ryan McCurrach the other multiple wicket taker with 2/13. James Patterson picked up three quick wickets for Myponga on his way to figures of 3/17 (5) but Antony Natale steadied the ship with 32 not out to see McLaren home with six wickets in hand.

Port Elliot got their 2019/20 season off to a great start with a convincing 83-run victory at home against Mount Compass. Port Elliot won the toss and batted first but got off to a terrible start crashing to a perilous 4/19. Enter former Ashbourne player Ben Griffiths who made a fine 75 (9 x 4’s) and he had a willing ally in Joel Harris (32) as the pair got the home side back into the game with a 79-run fifth wicket partnership. Another handy partnership between Ben Martin (12 not out) and Griffiths of 37 runs for the seventh wicket lifted Port Elliot to a very competitive 8/156 off their 40 overs. For Mount Compass, Mark Nash collected the first four wickets to fall on his way to figures of 4/25 from his eight overs. Mount Compass’ run chase never got going after they slumped to 3/11 before finally being dismissed for just 73 with Nash top scoring with 15. Griffiths continued his fine day with figures of 4/16 to complement his 75 runs in a fantastic debut for the Bloods.

Round 2 (19/10/19) fixtures are 40-overs per side one-dayers (home team named first)…..

McLaren Districts v Noarlunga

Goolwa v Myponga

Willunga v Port Elliot

Mount Compass v Encounter Bay