Port Elliot moved to the top of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after a comprehensive nine-wicket outright victory over Willunga on Saturday. Port Elliot declared on their overnight score of 5/175, giving them a 115-run lead as Willunga commenced their second innings. It appeared it was going to be a very early finish as the Demons slumped to 6/49 before skipper Rory Hanson made a quickfire 43 (37 balls) to lift his side to a total of 127. Simon Donaldson (3/31), Ben Martin (3/41) and Levi Stringer (2/13) were the leading wicket takers for Port Elliot. This left the Bloods with just 13 runs for an outright victory which they achieved for the loss of one wicket.

Noarlunga won their third game in a row to start the season following a comprehensive 149-run victory at home over reigning premier Encounter Bay. Defending their day one total of 4/343, the Shoes started well with opening bowler Sean Williams (2/19) getting a wicket with the second ball of the day. Paul Fantasia and Sam Hoffmann then added 100 runs for the second wicket before Hoffmann departed for 54 (70). Fantasia went on to top score with 77 from 103 balls (10 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the Bays reached 3/148. After going for 19 runs from his first two overs, Noarlunga left-arm spinner Jacob Banks was brought back into the attack and snared 6/41 from 9.2 overs. It was the second consecutive five-wicket haul for Banks. Encounter Bay lost their last 7/46 to be bowled out for 194 in the 46th over.

Yankalilla won their second game in a row after defeating McLaren Districts by 93 runs. McLaren Districts started well in pursuit of Yankalilla’s day one total of 321 as Daniel Bruce (45) and Stephen Nairn (43) added 67 runs for the first wicket. Justin Twartz (20) and Ben Worrall (18) chipped in with handy contributions, but it was George Beard who top scored with 54 from 52 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Six Tigers bowlers took wickets with Aaron Smith (3/38), Luke Bartlett (2/34) and Ryan Borlace (2/38) leading the way as the Crushers were bowled out for 228.

Goolwa remained undefeated after a comfortable eight-wicket win against Mt Compass. After bowling ‘Compass’ out for 110 on day one, Goolwa declared their first innings closed on 3/156, an overall lead of 46 runs. Matt Overall (55), Sam Carlyle (51) and Andy Evans (41 not out) were the leading run scorers for the Magpies. Batting a second time, Mt Compass were in danger of losing outright as they slipped to 5/55, before skipper Aaron Dalitz made a patient 29 not out (99 balls) to see the Bulls to safety at 8/120 at the end of the game. Overall (3/35), James Lawrence (3/39) and Josh Jones (2/28) were the wicket takers for Goolwa.

Myponga-Sellicks have their first win of the season, courtesy of an innings and 36-runs outright victory against Victor Harbor. The Mudlarks resumed on 3/52 in pursuit of the Vipers first innings total of 105 and were in early strife at 5/64 with Luke Harding (3/64) and Lachlan Hywood (2/33) doing the damage. That was as good as it got for ‘Victor’ as Lachlan Quilliam (72 not out) and Sean Haverty (40) put on 110 for the sixth wicket with the Mudlarks declaring on 6/184, an overall lead of 79 runs. Victor Harbor were tasked with batting out the day to stave off outright defeat but they were bowled out for just 43 in the 35th over. Vinnie Nizzola took 4/14 (14.4) to give him match figures of 9/31, while Cam Turner snared 4/23 (10).

Ladder (after round 3)

Port Elliot 22, Noarlunga 18, Goolwa 18, Yankalilla 12, McLaren Districts 12, Myponga-Sellicks 10, Encounter Bay 6, Mt Compass 0, Victor Harbor 0, Willunga 0.

Round 4 (home team named first - 2 day games)

Encounter Bay v Goolwa

Mt Compass v McLaren Districts 

Willunga v Noarlunga

Yankalilla v Myponga-Sellicks 

Port Elliot v Victor Harbor