Port Elliot has moved inside the top four for the first time since October after winning their fourth game in a row with a tight two-wicket win over a gallant Mount Compass outfit at Burgess Oval in round nine of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). Mount Compass posted a competitive day one total of 9/173 and when Port Elliot slipped to 7/98, a massive upset looked on the cards. Colby Whitbourne (44) was the only top order batsman to get going for the Bloods so it was left to the lower order to get the job done. The Bloods badly needed a partnership and veteran Simon Donaldson and teenager Harrison Grenfell, in just his fourth ‘A’ grade game, came together to add an all important 58 runs for the eight wicket before Grenfell was dismissed for 27. Donaldson continued on to finish 41 not out with assistance from Markus Consalvo (4 not out) as the winning runs were scored in the 41st over. Aaron Dalitz was the star with the ball for Mount Compass taking 6/50 (19), his second five-wicket haul of the season.

Myponga won their first game of the season with a thrilling nine-run victory over McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale. Myponga made 7/180 on day one and got off to an excellent start with the ball on day two as only Daniel Bruce (29) could pass 20 for the McLaren Districts top order. A late order revival from Ryan McCurrach (33) and Zac Hodges (28) gave the home side some hope but ultimately they were bowled out in the 68th over for 171. Myponga shared the wickets around with Mitchell Farquhar (3/30), James Patterson (3/45), Vincent Nizzola (2/31) and Ryan Haverty (2/38) doing all the damage.

Willunga consolidated top spot on the GSCA ladder with their eighth consecutive victory, this time by 42 runs over Encounter Bay at Willunga Oval. The home side made 220 on day one and got off to an excellent start with the ball on day two as Encounter Bay slipped to 3/48. Skipper Cam Lintern (45) then joined Sam Hoffmann (56) in a 43-run fourth wicket stand to get the visitors back in the game. Lintern was then joined by Sam Overall (37) and this pair added 54 for the fifth wicket to give Encounter Bay a real sniff at upsetting the top team. Unfortunately once Lintern was dismissed the last six wickets fell for just 33 runs as Encounter Bay were bowled out for 178 in the 66th over. Once again Simon Roberts was the star with the ball for the Demons as he snared 5/35 from 17 overs, his second five-wicket haul of the season.

Goolwa leapfrogged Noarlunga into second position on the GSCA ladder with a grinding three-wicket win over the Shoes at Goolwa Oval. Goolwa resumed day two at 0/9 in pursuit of Noarlunga’s day one total of 105 and they appeared to be cruising to victory as Luke Giddings (34) and Shaun Burger (28) added 48 for the second wicket to reach 1/61 and victory was within sight. The Magpies then suffered a mini collapse losing 4/7 to be in danger at 5/68 before Fred Nissen steadied the ship with 18 not out to get the home side over the line in the 62nd over. Noarlunga skipper Jason Scarff put in a marathon bowling effort to take 5/45 from 27.4 overs.

The competition takes a break over the long weekend for the annual Meyer Shield competition to be hosted by the Murray Towns Cricket Association. 

Round 10 (1/2/20 & 8/2/20) fixtures are two-day matches (home team named first).....

Noarlunga v McLaren Districts

Myponga v Goolwa

Port Elliot v Willunga

Encounter Bay v Mount Compass