Port Elliot moved to the top of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after a convincing 111-run win against Myponga-Sellicks at Myponga on Saturday. Port Elliot made 6/218 on day one of the clash, and this proved more than enough as the Mudlarks struggled their way to a total of 107 before being bowled out in the 66th over. Kobe Dooley (29), Sean Haverty (21) and Cam Turner (15) were the leading run scorers for Myponga-Sellicks. The undefeated Port Elliot used eight bowlers with Luke Collett (3/15), Ryan Boyce (2/1), Josh Andrewartha (2/38), Scott Hannam (1/5) and Harrison Grenfell (1/6) the wicket takers.

Willunga moved into second position on the GSCA ladder following a tight 20-run win against McLaren Districts. The Crushers started day two in a strong position at 0/19 in reply to Willunga’s first innings total of 137, but four early wickets saw them in strife at 4/34. Daniel Petrucci (15) and Ben Worrall (12) added 25 runs for the fifth wicket, while George Beard (29) and Worrall put on 38 for the sixth wicket and with the score on 5/97, McLaren Districts were right in the game. Simon Roberts and Sean McIvor had other ideas as they combined to take the last five wickets for just 20 runs as the crushers were bowled out for 117. Roberts bowled a marathon 31 overs unchanged and returned the excellent figures of 6/44 (14 maidens), while McIvor finished with 3/34 (20.4).

Reigning premiers Noarlunga won back-to-back games for the first time in 2023/24 after defeating a gallant Yankalilla by 25 runs at Yankalilla on Saturday. The Tigers got off to a fast start chasing the Shoes’ first innings total of 7/208 with Aaron Smith making a quickfire 43 (7 x 4’s) before being dismissed by the returning Peter Lamz (1/28). Luke Bartlett was batting well for the home side and he found an ally in Geoff Rosser (11) as this pair added 55 runs for the fifth wicket. Travis Bronstein (2/34) made a double strike just before Tea to see ‘Yank’ at 6/112 and in trouble. Bartlett continued on after the interval but was running out of partners as the ninth wicket fell at 146. Scott Wilson (3 not out) fought hard as Bartlett farmed the strike cleverly to bring up a well-deserved century before being run out for 101 (14 x 4’s) with the Tigers finishing all out for 183. Noarlunga skipper Chad Parrish (3/20), Cam Bullard (2/25) and Jason Scarff (1/41) were the other wicket takers for Noarlunga. 

Goolwa registered their first win of the 2023/24 season with a resounding 171-run victory over Victor Harbor on Saturday. Defending their day one total of 3/240, the Magpies bowled the Vipers out for just 69 in their first innings. Skipper Josh Boyko top scored with 31 (80 balls). Jayden Crees (3/16), James Lawrence (3/17), Josh Jones (2/8) and Jake Kuss (2/21) shared the wickets for Goolwa. With 34 overs left in the day, Goolwa made ‘Victor’ follow on in the hope of snatching an outright victory. The Vipers finished up on 7/56 with Tim Watson top scoring with 27 (63 balls). Jones (3/8), Lawrence (2/21), Kuss (1/0) and Fred Nissen (1/2) were the wicket takers for Goolwa in the second innings. 

Rain forced day two of the match between Mount Compass and Encounter Bay to be abandoned with the Bays in a strong position after posting 6/394 on day one. The teams receive three points each for the draw. 

Ladder (after round 5)

Port Elliot 30, Willunga 28, Encounter Bay 27, Noarlunga 18, Mt Compass 15, Yankalilla 12, McLaren Districts 12, Goolwa 6, Myponga-Sellicks 6, Victor Harbor 0.

Round 6 fixtures (two-day games)

Port Elliot v Yankalilla

Encounter Bay v Myponga-Sellicks

McLaren Districts v Victor Harbor

Noarlunga v Willunga

Goolwa v Mt Compass