Noarlunga wrapped up a top-two spot on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Encounter Bay in a thriller by four runs on Saturday. It was the first time in their eight seasons in the GSCA that the Shoes have won an ‘A’ grade game at Encounter Bay. The Bays resumed at 1/10 in pursuit of Noarlunga’s first innings total of 166 and they started well with Dillon Burns (22) and Sam Hoffmann (20) adding 36 runs for the second wicket. The dismissal of Burns however saw the home side in trouble at 4/58. This brought skipper Blake Bailey and Cam Lintern together in what was looming as a crucial partnership. Lintern was the wicket Noarlunga needed and Cam Bullard (1/34 off 18 overs) did the trick as he caught and bowled Lintern for 32 with the score at 5/92. Bailey continued on to also make 32 as the game tightened up with the Bays needing 10 runs to win off the last two overs with just two wickets in hand with Anthony Burgess to bowl the penultimate over. Kieran Garrett (5 not out) took a single off the first ball and then Ryan Boyce (22) hit a boundary to see the equation in the Bays’ favour as they now required just five runs from 10 balls. Burgess stepped up to clean bowl Boyce and then dismissed Shane Hastings with his next ball to cue celebrations for Noarlunga. Burgess took the bowling honours for the Shoes with 4/52 from 19.4 overs, while opening bowler Matty Ray bowled a miserly 18 overs to capture 2/11. 

Willunga won their seventh game of the season with a comfortable 184-run win at home against McLaren Districts on Saturday. Willunga posted an imposing total of 7/266 last week with Simon Roberts (84) and Luke Harding (80) starring with the bat. On Saturday, McLaren Districts were never in the hunt during the run chase as they were bundled out for just 82 in the 34th over. Justin Twartz (24) was the only Crushers batsman to reach 20. All five Willunga bowlers took wickets with Luke Goldner (3/24), Daniel Hockham (3/26) and Tye McIvor (2/10) leading the way. Willunga also secured the ‘double chance’ with this win and will take on Noarlunga in the final minor round and then again in the semi-finals on March 5th and 6th.

Goolwa all but secured their spot in the finals with a convincing six-wicket win against Port Elliot at Goolwa Oval on Saturday. The Magpies bowled Port Elliot out for just 72 last week and resumed on Saturday in a commanding position at 1/48. The Bloods started day two well as they claimed three quick wickets to reduce Goolwa to 4/62. Opening batsman Fred Nissen top scored with 32, while Andy Evans (28 not out) and Dean Vickery (16) added 43 for the fifth wicket as Goolwa reached 6/124 before stumps were drawn early. Simon Donaldson and Tyson Somerfield claimed two wickets each for Port Elliot.

The round six match between Willunga and Aldinga that was postponed on January 8, will be played at Willunga on Sunday 20 February. It will be a 40-overs per side one-day match.

Round 10 fixtures (home team named first/two-day games)

Port Elliot v Encounter Bay 

Noarlunga v Willunga 

McLaren Districts v Goolwa

Ladder (after round 9)

Noarlunga 45, Willunga 42, Encounter Bay 28, Goolwa 27, Port Elliot 18, McLaren Districts 0.