Mylor moved inside the top-four after defeating Kangarilla by three wickets during round 15 action of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Kangarilla yesterday. The home side batted first and were in more trouble than the early settlers as they slumped to 3/2 inside the first four overs. Che Martinsen (22) and Joel Stidston (15) put on 38 runs for the fourth wicket, while Ben Evans made 22 not out (32 balls) but ultimately Kangarilla were bowled out for just 82. Todd Dellatorre (2/10), Thomas Jensen (2/13) and Peter Johns (2/18) were the multiple wicket takers for the Piper, while Oliver Barnes bowled a miserly spell of 1/7 (9). Kangarilla made Mylor fight hard in the run chase, taking regular wickets and reducing the Pipers to 5/52. Alex Gurner (22) and skipper Michael Warburton (14 not out) were the leading run scorers for the visitors as they brought up the winning runs with three wickets and more than 12 overs to spare. Jack Evans (2/12), Steve Featherstone (2/27) and Ben Evans (2/27) battled it out with the ball for ‘Kangies’. 

Reigning premier Stirling moved up to third spot on the ladder with a 23-run win against Mt Lofty at Heathfield yesterday. Stirling batted first with all batsmen reaching double figures as they posted a competitive 5/199 from their 45 overs. Harrison Webb (46), Jack Pick (42), Kurt Zytnik (27 not out) and Jack Read (25) led the way for the visitors in an excellent team batting effort. Josh Healey (3/43) was the leading wicket taker for the Redcaps. Mt Lofty got off to a fast start with Josh Healey making 24 from 22 balls, but Stirling reined them in as the home side slipped to 4/55. Ryan Pistola (39) and Tim Noble (23) added 65 for the fifth wicket to get the home side back in the game, before Brad Hutton (33) got his side into a winning position at 6/173. The equation was 27 runs required from 36 balls and the Redcaps were probably favourites before Ezekiel Hemming (2/24) made a double breakthrough in the 40th over. Opening bowler Chris Shaw then wrapped up the game with two wickets in the 41st over as Mt Lofty were bowled out for 176. Shaw finished with the excellent figures of 5/22 from his nine overs, his second five-wicket haul in the past three games, Webb completed a fine all-round game with 2/22 from five overs.

Meadows won their second game in a row to keep the pressure on for a top-four spot after defeating Aldgate by eight wickets at Aldgate Oval. The Gaters batted first with a number of players getting a start without capitalising and making a big score as they were bowled out for 159. Jack Woollard (37), James Anthony (33) and Shaun Atkins (26) were the leading run scorers for the home side. Veteran Chad Dawe bowled an excellent spell for the Bulldogs with 3/15 (9), while Brad Louch (3/39), Rohan Reid (2/23) and David Bates (2/39) were the other wicket takers. Dylan Brown and Luke Tonkin continued their excellent union at the top of the order with a 76-run stand before Brown went for 43 (43 balls). Tonkin went on to top score with 59 not out (104 balls), while Brad Dawe made 49 not out (46 balls), his highest score of the season. 

Bridgewater won their fourth game of the season with a comfortable seven-wicket win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Bridgewater yesterday. SCIB batted first with Adam Shearwood continuing his excellent season as he top scored with 89 from 104 balls (9 x 4’s). Shearwood now has 455 runs in 2023/24 to sit fifth on the HCA batting aggregate. Thomas Watton (24) and Aaron Thompson (22) chipped in with useful runs, but that was about it for SCIB as they were bowled out for 171 in the 43rd over. Ty Watson (3/21) and Jarrad Tait (3/29) were the leading wicket takers for the Raiders. Watson and Luke Hoyle got Bridgewater off to a good start with a 56-run opening partnership before Hoyle departed for 37 from 34 balls (5 x 4’s). ‘Bridgey’ lost 3/15 and at 3/71, SCIB were back in the game. Enter Jarrad Tait to join Watson at the crease and this pair saw their side over the line with an unbroken 104-run stand for the fourth wicket. Tait finished with 71 not out from 57 balls (9 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Watson made 50 not out from 106 balls. Daniel Desnego (2/36) was the multiple wicket taker for Scott Creek Ironbank.

Ladder (after round 15)

Mt Lofty 54, Scott Creek Ironbank 51, Stirling 48, Mylor 48, Aldgate 45, Meadows 42, Kangarilla 42, Bridgewater 30.

Round 16 fixtures (home team named first)

Mt Lofty v Aldgate 

Mylor v Bridgewater

Stirling v Meadows

Kangarilla v Scott Creek Ironbank