Noarlunga won their fifth game in a row to maintain top spot on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Port Elliot by 38 runs at Old Noarlunga on Saturday. The Shoes batted first and were in early trouble at 3/32 before skipper Jason Scarff was joined by Matthew Spaan in a partnership worth 46 runs for the fourth wicket. Scarff went on to top score with 50 from 72 balls (6 x 4’s). Spaan was involved in another handy partnership of 44 runs for the sixth wicket with Jeff Colo (24) before he was dismissed for 40 (86 balls). Colo contributed a handy 24 (36 balls) as Noarlunga completed their 40 overs on 7/153. Harry Grenfell (2/29) and Joel Harris (2/30) were the multiple wicket takers for Port Elliot. The visitors' run chase didn’t start well with Noarlunga opening bowlers Matty Ray (1/11) and Scarff (1/10) getting an early breakthrough each to see the Bloods in strife at 2/10. Hayden Gordge and the returning Ben Griffiths (20) steadied the innings with a 54-run stand for the third wicket before Gordge went for 41 from 85 balls (3 x 4’s). The breaking of the Gordge/Griffiths partnership was the beginning of the end for Port Elliot with their last eight wickets falling for just 51 runs as they were bowled out in the 40th over for 115. Off-spinner Anthony Burgess took 3/45 for the Shoes, but the star of the show was teenager Travis Bronstein who picked up his maiden five-wicket haul with the excellent figures of 5/11 from 5.2 overs. 

Encounter Bay consolidated their spot in the top-four with a grinding three-wicket victory against McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale on Saturday. The home side batted first and struggled their way to reach 92 before being bowled out in the 32nd over. Luke Goodieson (16), Lachlan Cooper (16), Bodie Wilson (14) and Ben Wilcox (14) were the only Crushers batsmen to reach double figures. Teenager Zac Thompson (3/10) picked up his best ‘A’ grade figures for Encounter Bay and he was well supported by Cam Lintern (2/3) and Kieran Garrett (2/12). After losing opener David Marks early, the Bays steadied to reach 1/32 with Dillon Burns and Sam Hoffmann adding 31 runs for the second wicket. Hoffmann was playing a lone hand for the Bays and as regular wickets fell around him, the visitors were in strife at 6/61, still 32 runs from victory. Hoffmann needed an ally and he got one in Caleb Polson (12 not out) with this pair adding 27 runs for the seventh wicket before Hoffmann was dismissed for 66 with just five runs required for victory. The Bays eventually got over the line after 35 overs with just three wickets in hand. It was a spirited effort by the Crushers in the field as their attack was led by Jacob Banks who finished with 2/20 (8). Veteran Bodie Wilson bowled a miserly spell of 1/7 (8), with Will Dyer (1/12) and Stephen Nairn (1/25) the other wicket takers. 

Reigning premier Willunga notched their sixth win of the season with a 24-run win at Goolwa. The home side won the toss and sent Willunga in and the move paid early dividends with opening batsman Paul Roberts dismissed early on to leave the Demons at 1/4. Skipper Luke Harding (19) and Dane McPhail (15) added 29 runs for the second wicket but at 4/56, Goolwa were right in the game. Simon Roberts (18) joined Luke Goldner in a crucial partnership worth 47 runs for the fifth wicket as Willunga posted 6/134 from their 40 overs. Goldner went on to top score with 55 not out. Goolwa’s run chase started in disastrous fashion as they were soon 3/7 thanks to an excellent opening spell from Joe Last who took the first three wickets on his way to figures of 4/15 from eight overs. Fred Nissen (18) added some resistance but regular wickets continued to fall as the Magpies slumped to 8/61. Skipper Jayden Crees (19) and James Lawrence (28 not out) added some respectability to the scoreboard with a 36-run alliance for the ninth wicket before the home side was bowled out for 110 in the 39th over. Luke Goldner completed an excellent all-round game for the Demons as he snared 3/12 from his eight over spell. 

Round 9 fixtures (home team named first/two-day games)

Goolwa v Port Elliot

Encounter Bay v Noarlunga

Willunga v McLaren Districts

Ladder (after round 8)

Noarlunga 39, Willunga 36, Encounter Bay 28, Goolwa 21, Port Elliot 18, McLaren Districts 0.