Goolwa warmed up for finals action after defeating Myponga-Sellicks by an innings and 40 runs during round 12 action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Goolwa on Saturday. The Magpies resumed day two on 0/103, and declared their innings at 1/221 with Matt Overall (89), Max McCardle (66 not out) and Sam Carlyle (37 not out) the leading run scorers. This gave the Magpies a lead of 101 runs as the Mudlarks took to the crease in their second innings, and it was over pretty quickly as the visitors were rolled for just 61 in 17 overs. James Lawrence took 4/5 (3) to see him finish the minor round with 35 wickets at an average of 9.57 as he took out the GSCA bowling awards. Goolwa now have the first week of finals off, and will play a semi-final against either Port Elliot or Myponga-Sellicks starting on the 15th of March. 

Port Elliot finished their season in style with a comfortable 95-run victory over Mt Compass. ‘Compass’ resumed day two on 5/58 in pursuit of Port Elliot’s day one total of 182, and it was an early finish as they were bowled out for just 87. Jamarley Daley top scored with 37 (57 balls), while Simon Donaldson was the star with the ball for Port Elliot with figures of 5/36 from 11 overs. Liam Harris (2/4) and Ben Griffiths (2/30) chimed in with two wickets each. Port Elliot will suit up this weekend in an elimination final against Myponga-Sellicks.

Veteran Chris Butler made his maiden century to fire Encounter Bay to a five-wicket win over Willunga to finish the minor round. The Bays began day two on 1/66 in pursuit of the Demons’ day one total of 144, and it was the ‘Chris Butler Show’ as Butler made 103 not out from 116 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as the Bays declared at 5/168. Daniel Hockham (3/42) was the leading wicket taker for Willunga. Batting a second time, Willunga finished on 9/135 with Eddie Last (33) and Jordan Corfield (30 not out) top scoring. Butler continued his excellent day with 3/20, while Kieran Garrett (3/42) and Blake Bailey (3/48) were the other chief wicket takers. Encounter Bay will face Yankalilla in a knockout elimination final this weekend. 

McLaren Districts fell agonisingly short of an outright win, and a finals spot, in their game with Victor Harbor at McLaren Vale on Saturday. The Crushers resumed day two on 0/13 in pursuit of the Vipers’ day one total of 153. The home side wasted no time knocking off the target with Justin Twartz (43), Stephen Nairn (34) and George Beard (26) leading the way. Kenny Sumner (3/36) and Jesse Ortega (2/38) were the multiple wicket takers for the Vipers. Victor Harbor took to the crease for their second innings and struggled their way to a total of 82, before being bowled out in the 34th over. Kevin Grant (3/15), Nairn (3/26), Beard (2/6) and Roy Graham (2/21) were the wicket takers for McLaren Districts. This left the Crushers with a target of 81 from just eight overs with a finals spot on the line. The home side pushed hard with Beard (36 not out from 21) and Grant (29 from 15) lifting their side to 4/70 before time ran out with their side just 11 runs from victory. Luke Harding took the bowling honours for ‘Victor’ with 3/19 (4). 

Minor premier Noarlunga tuned up for finals action with a five-wicket victory over Yankalilla. Noarlunga resumed at 2/30 with Travis Bronstein going on to score 41 (56 balls) before he was dismissed with the score at 4/78. Yankalilla had a bit of a ‘sniff’ but that was extinguished as Shoes skipper Cam Bullard made 100 not out (11 x 4’s), his second century of the season, to see his side comfortably over the line. Chris Clark took 2/50 (17) for the Tigers. Noarlunga will now have the first week of finals off and will play the winner of the Encounter Bay v Yankalilla elimination final on the weekend of 15th & 16th March.

Round 1 Elimination Final fixtures (8/3/25 & 9/3/25)

Encounter Bay v Yankalilla (Encounter Bay)

Port Elliot v Myponga-Sellicks (Victor Harbor)