Port Elliot has handed reigning premier Noarlunga their first loss of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) season with a thrilling 12-run victory at Port Elliot Oval on Saturday. Port Elliot had posted a very competitive first day score of 6/205 and Noarlunga started their run chase in great fashion as skipper Jason Scarff and Anthony Burgess added 120 for the first wicket before Scarff was dismissed for 51. David Scarff (11), fresh off a century last round, then combined with Burgess (85) as the Shoes reached 1/149 to seemingly be in control of the match. The Bloods needed quick wickets and that’s exactly what they got as Simon Donaldson got on a roll to take 6/35 from 15 overs. It was Donaldson’s seventh five-wicket haul for Port Elliot and with his sixth wicket, he brought up 200 wickets for the club. Noarlunga lost their last nine wickets for just 44 runs to be bowled out for 193 in the 69th over. Riley Paull provided great support to Donaldson with the ball as he snared 2/38 from 16 overs. Port Elliot move up to fifth spot on the ladder while Noarlunga have slipped to third.

Willunga are top of the ladder after their second consecutive outright victory, this time against McLaren Districts by 10 wickets. Having already taken first innings points on day one, the Demons pushed on to score 145 in their first innings, a lead of 58. Batting a second time, the Crushers were rolled for just 59 with only opener Daniel Petrrucci showing any resistance as he carried his bat for 26 not out. Simon Roberts (4/18) and Joel Docking (3/5) were the chief wicket takers for Willunga. Roberts leads the GSCA with 25 wickets already this season. This left the Demons needing just two runs for outright victory which they achieved off just the second ball of the innings. 

Goolwa has consolidated their spot in the top four after a comprehensive outright win over Mount Compass by an innings and 77 runs at Burgess Oval. Mount Compass resumed day two at 4/17 in pursuit of Goolwa’s day one total of 7/223 declared and Goolwa wasted no time in rolling the Bulldogs for just 33 with Josh Jones snaring 5/9 from 13 overs. Jones now has 18 wickets at an average of just 5.67 for the season. Bryce Garrard was the only batsman to get more than two runs as he made 23. Mount Compass fared better in the second dig to at least pass 100 as they were bowled out for 113 in the 40th over. Aaron Dalitz (29), Garrard (27) and Josh Murfitt (23) all got starts without going on to a big score. James Lawrence (4/26) and Jake Ashton-Place (3/23) were the chief destroyers for the Magpies.

Encounter Bay won after Myponga forfeited.

Round 7 (21/12/19) fixtures are 40-overs per side one-dayers (home team named first)…..

Willunga v Noarlunga

Goolwa v Encounter Bay

Port Elliot v McLaren Districts

Myponga v Mount Compass