Mylor moved up to third spot on the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder following their comfortable eight-wicket win over Aldgate during round eight action at Aldgate Oval yesterday. The home side batted first with Felix Farmer (30 not out), Mitch Thomas (25) and Josh Callaghan (24) the leading scorers as the Gaters were bowled out in the 43rd over for 155. Dylan Quinn (3/19), Nick Cook (3/28), Jesse Cooper (2/21) and Michael Warburton (2/33) were the leading wicket takers for Mylor. The visitors made a great start in the run chase with Nic Wilson and Tom Plant adding 114 runs for the first wicket before Wilson departed for 51 from 84 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Tom Plant went on to finish with 79 not out from 91 balls (7 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s) as the winning runs came up in the 32nd over. Mitch Wise (1/20) and Matt Hansen (1/24) were the wicket takers for Aldgate.

Mt Lofty stayed top of the ladder after defeating Bridgewater by 92 runs at Heathfield Oval. The Redcaps batted first and were in early trouble at 2/28 before Ryan Pistola and Jordan Neis-Beer came together to add 95 runs for the third wicket. Neis-Beer made 51 (104 balls), while Pistola went on to top score with 82 not out (95) as the home side posted 6/193 from their 45 overs. Liam Risson (2/18), Peter Atkins (2/23) and James Dawson (2/39) were the leading wicket takers for the Raiders. Bridgewater were never in the run chase with Dawson (24) and Jamie Drew (22 not out) the only batsmen to pass 20 as they were bowled out in the 36th over for 101. Five Mt Lofty bowlers took wickets including Adam Carthew (3/18), Sam Furber (3/29) and Connor Milde (2/14). 

Stirling consolidated their top-two position with a high-scoring 21-run win at Meadows yesterday. The Eagles batted first with Connor McFadyen and Jack Read putting on 103 for the first wicket before McFadyen was dismissed in the 16th over for 39 (44 balls). Read went on to top score with 72 from 72 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Sean McCullum (33 not out), Harrison Webb (32) and Jack Pick (25) made handy contributions to see Stirling post 6/221 from their 45 overs. Brad Louch (2/22) and Zack Robertson (2/32) were the multiple wicket takers for Meadows. Oscar Tydeman and Rohan Reid started well for the Bulldogs with a 57-run opening stand before Tydeman went for a quickfire 41 (31 balls). Reid continued on to top score with 74 (112), while Callan Blackwell chipped in with 23 (21), but ultimately Meadows came up short at 9/200. Ned Hopgood (2/19), Jack Pick (2/25), James Richards (2/46) and Ezekiel Hemming (2/47) were the multiple wicket takers for Stirling.

Reigning premiers Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) sit just percentage outside the top-four after a tight 17-run win at Kangarilla. SCIB batted first and battled their way to 5/160 from their 45 overs. Stuart Norton (34 not out), Aaron Thompson (33) and Lachlan Knight (22) were the leading run scorers, while Steve Featherstone (2/32) was the multiple wicket taker for ‘Kangies’. The run chase was a struggle for Kangarilla with six batsmen reaching double figures, but only Featherstone (36) passing 20 as his side came up short at 9/143. Beau Harwood (3/37) and veteran Andy Adams (2/20) were the leading wicket takers for Scott Creek Ironbank. 

Ladder (after round 8)

Mt Lofty 28, Stirling 24, Mylor 20, Aldgate 16, Scott Creek Ironbank 16, Bridgewater 8, Meadows 8, Kangarilla 8.

Round 9 (1/2/25 - home teams named first)

Stirling v Kangarilla

Aldgate v Bridgewater

Scott Creek Ironbank v Mt Lofty

Meadows v Mylor