Port Elliot are well on their way to outright victory after a strong first day in their contest with Mount Compass during round 6 action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) on Saturday. Mount Compass batted first and only lasted 29 overs before being bowled out for just 61. Josh Murfitt was the only Mount Compass batsman to reach double figures with 29 (32 balls). Chris O’Connor was the star with the ball for Port Elliot with 5/26 (10). He was well supported by veteran Simon Donaldson who captured 3/8 (6). Port Elliot wasted no time overhauling the meagre target as they raced to 5/168 from just 21 overs before declaring with 20 overs left in the day. Liam Harris opened the batting for the Bloods and hit a quickfire 65 from just 37 balls (10 x 4’s), and he was well supported by Scott Hannam (33 not out from 22 balls) and Tyson Somerfield (26 from 29 balls). Joel Webber took 3/32 (4) for the Bulls. In their second innings, Mount Compass reached 4/43 at stumps, still needing another 64 runs to make Port Elliot bat again. Simon Donaldson capped off a good day with 2/20 (10) in the second innings. 

Noarlunga took first innings points on day one of their clash with Aldinga at Old Noarlunga, and will push for an outright win on day two. Aldinga batted first and was bowled out in the 34th over for 84. Paul Inglis was the standout for the Sharks with a top score of 43. Dale Parrish (4/39) and Harry Jackson (3/5) were the chief wicket takers for the Shoes. Noarlunga had 36 overs to bat before stumps and ended up on 7/118, an overall lead of 34 runs. Skipper Jason Scarff top scored with 33 before having to retire hurt, while David Scarff (20) and Bryce Garrard (19) also made handy contributions. Ray Spring (2/15) and Tim Robinson (2/35) were the multiple wicket takers for Aldinga.

Willunga also took first innings points on day one of their game against McLaren Districts at Willunga Oval to win their first game of the season. The Crushers batted first and got themselves into a reasonable position at 2/47, before losing their last eight wickets for just 43 runs to be bowled out for 90. McLaren Districts skipper Luke Goodieson top scored with a patient 28 from 130 balls. Simon Roberts was the standout bowler for Willunga with figures of 5/30 from 16.5 overs. The Demons got through to stumps on 1/91, with Luke Harding (36 not out) and Roberts (45 not out) at the crease. 

Encounter Bay are in the box seat in their home game against Yankalilla after posting a very competitive score of 5/230 from their 70 overs. The innings was underpinned by an excellent partnership between veteran Cam Lintern and teenager Finn Magor. Magor made his highest ‘A’ grade score with 68, while Lintern finished the innings with 91 not out. David Marks (23) chimed in with a handy knock as well. The Yankalilla bowlers toiled hard with Tim Dellatorre the best of the bunch with 3/26 from 18 overs. Luke Bartlett (1/38) and Aaron Smith (1/58) were the other wicket takers for the Tigers.

Ladder-leader Goolwa have already secured first innings points on day one of their clash with Myponga-Sellicks at Goolwa Oval. The visitors batted first with James Paterson (15), Euan Maclachlan (14) and Vinnie Nizzola (10) the only players to reach double figures as the Mudlarks were rolled for 65. Goolwa skipper Jayden Crees continued his outstanding season with figures of 6/34 (12.2). Crees now has 29 wickets for the season at the scarcely believable average of just 4.07! Crees was backed up well by his opening bowling partner Josh Jones who snared 4/26 (11). The Magpies had 45 overs to bat before stumps and serenely made their way to 2/104, a lead of 39 runs heading into day two. Jones (20) and Andy Evans (16) were the batsmen dismissed, while Luke Giddings will resume on 45 not out.