Port Elliot will take on minor premier Willunga in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) Grand Final this weekend following a convincing seven wicket win in the Preliminary Final over Encounter Bay yesterday. The Bloods won just three games in the minor round but have hit top form at the right time of the year to earn their spot in the decider. Port Elliot will be looking for their first ‘A’ grade flag while Willunga are pushing for three premierships in the past four seasons.

Encounter Bay won the toss on Saturday and had no hesitation in batting first. Port Elliot got off to a good start with Colby Whitbourne (2/22) removing both Encounter Bay openers before Blake Bailey was run out. Sam Hoffmann was next to go as he was caught and bowled by Simon Donaldson (1/18) to leave the Bays in strife at 4/41. Ambrose Willoughby joined skipper Cam Lintern in a patient partnership worth 30 runs before Willoughby was dismissed by Liam Harris (1/21). Lintern was holding the innings together as the Bays battled hard against a disciplined Port Elliot bowling lineup. Off-spinner Ben Griffiths gave nothing away with an excellent spell to finish with 2/18 from 18 overs. Riley Paull (2/27) got the big wicket of Lintern who made a patient 44 from 123 balls with five boundaries as Encounter Bay were dismissed for 131 in the 67th over. 

Port Elliot would’ve been rapt with their performance on day one and they started day two well before Colby Whitbourne (13) was dismissed by Bailey (1/22) with the score at 1/20. Skipper Brodie Whitbourne joined Ethan Spriggs in an excellent second wicket stand worth 51 runs before Dillon Burns (1/25) removed Spriggs for 30 from 67 balls. Brodie Whitbourne was joined by Joel Harris in another important partnership of 48 for the third wicket as Whitbourne went on to make a fine half century, finishing with 57 from 113 balls with six boundaries. Harris (20 not out) and Hayden Gordge (6 not out) saw Port Elliot to their target in the 45th over to the delight of their teammates and supporters. 

‘A’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Willunga v Port Elliot (Port Elliot)

‘B’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Myponga v Noarlunga (Encounter Bay)

‘C1’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21)

Willunga Red v Goolwa (Rapid Bay)

‘C2’ Grade Grand Final (27/3/21)

Rapid Bay v Encounter Bay (Victor Harbor)

Senior Colts Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Yankalilla v Noarlunga (Port Elliot)

Junior Colts Grand Final (27/3/21 & 28/3/21)

Port Elliot v Noarlunga (Victor Harbor)