Port Elliot has put themselves in a good position to move back inside the top four after a strong comeback against Encounter Bay as round 11 action got underway in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). In the match of the round, The Bloods won the toss and decided to bat first on their home ground and they got off to a good start with Hayden Gordge (29) and Ethan Spriggs (11) putting on 38 for the first wicket before a collapse of 7/52 left the home side in tatters at 7/90. The home side needed a partnership as skipper Jesse Consalvo was joined by Simon Donaldson and this pair began to resurrect the Port Elliot innings. Donaldson had played a match winning innings two rounds back against Mount Compass while Consalvo had already notched two half centuries this season so the Bloods were in good hands. This pair slowly wrested back the initiative from the visitors as they posted a 135-run partnership for the eighth wicket before Donaldson was dismissed for a crucial 36. Consalvo went on to post a fine century (108 not out) as the Bloods were eventually dismissed in the 70th over for 232. Encounter Bay skipper Cam Lintern was inspirational with the ball taking 5/25 from 13 overs. It was Lintern’s fifth five-wicket haul for Encounter Bay. He was well supported by Adam Moller, in his first ‘A’ grade game of the season, with 4/94 from 20 overs.

It was tough going at Myponga as the home side batted out the day against Noarlunga to post 4/119 from their 70 overs. Myponga has improved since Christmas, posting a win against McLaren Districts, pushing Goolwa before losing by one wicket and now batting out the day against the reigning premier. Ryan Haverty (46 not out), Brad Hill (30) and Sean Haverty (27) were the mainstays of the Myponga innings. The Noarlunga bowlers gave very little away with skipper Jason Scarff leading the way with 3/30 from a marathon 21 overs. Scarff has now taken 27 wickets at an average of 10.70 this season. He was well supported by Peter Lamz who took 1/45 (18).

McLaren Districts have taken the honours on day one of their clash at Goolwa Oval. The home side won the toss and got off to a good start with Luke Giddings (50) and Andrew Evans (38) putting the Magpies in a strong position. Unfortunately only two other players reached double figures as Goolwa struggled their way to 154 before being bowled out in the 69th over. David Smith continued his excellent season for McLaren Districts as he took 6/42 (23.3). Smith has now taken 27 wickets at an average of 11.26 to sit equal second on the GSCA wicket takers list.

Willunga are in a commanding position to register their 10th consecutive victory after posting 6/281 from their 70 overs at Willunga Oval in their clash with Mount Compass. After losing opener Dane McPhail early, Luke Harding (30) and Scott Brown added 80 runs for the second wicket before Joel Docking (22) and Brown put on 46 for the third wicket. Brown went on to make 77 (132 balls), his highest score for Willunga. Tye McIvor (28) and Dylan Kay (25) continued to pile on the runs before Luke Goldner took over. Goldner smashed 60 not out from 52 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x6) to lift the Demons to their highest score of the season. Ziggy Vitkunas (2/18) was the only multiple wicket taker for Mount Compass.