In just their second year back in ‘A’ grade competition after a long hiatus, Mylor have qualified for the finals following a 69-run win at Meadows on Saturday during round 18 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA). Mylor batted first with Tom Plant and Shane Maslin putting on 101 runs for the first wicket before Plant was dismissed for 46 from 85 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Maslin continued on to top score with 76 from 112 balls (8 x 4’s), while Ben James made a hard-hitting 68 from 63 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) as the Pipers put up 6/226 from their 45 overs. Veteran Chad Dawe came on late in the innings and snared his first ever hat-trick, finishing with 4/33 (4). Callan Blackwell (2/30) was the other wicket taker for the Bulldogs. Meadows were never really in the run chase with Haydn Reid the only batsman to reach 20 as he made 52 from 83 balls (8 x 4’s) with the home side being bowled out for 157 in the 43rd over. Six Mylor bowlers took wickets with Michael Warburton (3/13) and Thomas Jensen (3/39) the leading wicket takers. Mylor will now face off with Stirling in the Elimination Final at Stirling this Saturday. 

Mt Lofty claimed the minor premiership with a comfortable eight-wicket win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Heathfield Oval yesterday. The two teams will meet in the Qualifying Final at the same venue this Saturday. On Saturday, SCIB batted first with Aaron Thompson continuing his excellent season as he top scored with 51 (77 balls). He was ably supported by Adam Shearwood (36) and Daniel Desengo (24) as SCIB posted a competitive 9/176 from their 45 overs. Josh Healey (2/19) and Peter Giannes (2/41) were the multiple wicket takers for the Redcaps and there were four run-outs. Mt Lofty made light work of the run chase with Healey top scoring with 87 not out from 114 balls (10 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Josh Mitchell made a hard-hitting 58 from just 28 balls. Mitchell’s innings included four boundaries and six ‘maximums’ as the winning runs came up in the 36th over. 

Reigning premier Stirling confirmed their spot in the finals after a high-scoring 39-run win at Bridgewater. The Eagles batted first and got off to a great start through an opening stand worth 126 runs between Jack Read and Connor McFadyen. Both players were very aggressive with McFadyen top scoring with 90 (71 balls), while Read made 60 (49 balls). Daniel Gonzalez (56) and Harrison Webb (38) continued the carnage as the Eagles finished all out for 300 in the 45th over. Liam Risson (4/58) and Shannon Cox (3/69) were the multiple wicket takers for the Raiders. Bridgewater’s innings was underpinned by a fine century from Ty Watson who top scored with 101 not out from 124 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). He added 101 runs for the sixth wicket with Caleb Risson (57 from 51) but ultimately ‘Bridgey’ came up short at 7/261. Ezekiel Hemming (2/16), Jack Pick (2/34) and McFadyen (2/55) were the leading wicket takers for the Eagles. 

An undefeated century to Kangarilla skipper Lachlan Knight has led his team to a thrilling one-wicket victory against Aldgate. It was ‘Kangies’ first win in three months and knocked Aldgate out of finals calculations in the process. The Gaters batted first with Shaun Atkins (34), Josh Callaghan (34) and Luke Smet (27 not out) helping Aldgate to 7/173 from their 45 overs. Ben Evans was the best of the Kangarilla bowlers with 3/27 from his nine-over spell. Aldgate looked to have the game well in their keeping as Kangarilla slipped to 5/41. Knight was carrying the team on his back, but at 9/120 it appeared the game was over. Number 11 batsman Troy Martinsen joined Knight in the 34th over with 54 runs remaining for victory and this pair defied all the odds to see their team over the line in the 44th over. Knight finished with 115 not out from 146 balls with his innings containing 10 boundaries and seven sixes, while Martinsen ended up with an invaluable 1 not out (21 balls). Jack Woollard (2/22) was the pick of the Aldgate bowlers. These two wickets helped Woollard take out the HCA Bowling trophy with 27 wickets for the season. 

Ladder (after round 18)

Mt Lofty 66, Scott Creek Ironbank 63, Stirling 60, Mylor 60, Aldgate 57, Meadows 48, Kangarilla 48, Bridgewater 30.

Semi-Final fixtures

Mt Lofty v Scott Creek Ironbank (Heathfield Oval)

Stirling v Mylor (Stirling Oval)