Bridgewater won their first game of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) season following their upset 58-run win at Uraidla during round 13 action yesterday. The Raiders batted first and got off to an excellent start through opening pair Luke Hoyle and Chris Murray. They added 98 runs for the first wicket before Hoyle was dismissed for 59, his third half century of the season. Murray was next to go for 27 and from then on it was all Uraidla as they took the last 10 Bridgewater wickets for just 56 runs. The Raiders were bowled out for 154 in the 40th over with extras (25) the third highest score. Thomas Bassett (3/28), Mitch Makings (3/38) and Israel Symington (2/24) were the pick of the Uraidla bowlers. The home side were in all sorts of trouble early in their innings as they slumped to 3/7 with Caleb Risson (2/17) and Rhys Jordan (1/15) doing the early damage. Alex Heptinstall (30) and Michael Parker (13) started a rescue mission with a 41-run fourth wicket stand, and at 4/72 the Demons were back in the game. Anthony Jennings (1/10) got the big wicket of Heptinstall before young leg-spinner Finn Sullivan-Llewellyn and Hoyle combined to take the last six wickets for just 24 runs to see Uraidla bowled out for 96 in the 34th over. Hoyle finished with 2/19 (5), while Sullivan-Llewellyn snared 4/18 (7.1), his best figures in ‘A’ grade ranks. 

Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) pulled off one of the upsets of the season, and in the process won their fourth game of the campaign, with a three-wicket win against finals contender Kangarilla at Cherry Gardens yesterday. Kangarilla batted first and struggled throughout their innings as they were bowled out for just 81. Che Martinsen (19) and Jack Evans (13 not out) were the only ‘Kangies’ batsmen to reach double figures. All four SCIB bowlers took wickets with Daniel Desengo leading the way with 4/14 (6). Aaron Thompson (3/15), Ben McGowan (2/28) and Daniel Key (1/16) were the other wicket takers. Tom Watton (28) and Darcy Campbell (13) started well with a 39-run opening stand but Kangarilla hit back hard through an excellent spell of bowling from Jack Evans who took 4/10 from seven overs. Ryan Smallman (2/12) was the other multiple wicket taker for ‘Kangies’ as SCIB found themselves with a few nervous moments at 7/74. Veteran Andy Adams (15 not out) guided his side home in the 35th over in a tight low-scoring game. 

Aldgate got back on the winners list and moved up to second spot on the HCA ladder with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over reigning premier Mount Lofty at Aldgate Oval. Both sides were missing key personnel with Adam Carthew and Will Healey out for Mount Lofty, while Jake Turnbull and Mitch Thomas were missing for the ‘Gaters’. Aldgate won the toss and sent the Redcaps in and from that moment on it was all the home side as they rolled Mount Lofty for just 69 in the 37th over. No Redcaps batsman reached 20 with Stewart Leigh top scoring with 17. Playing his first ‘A’ grade game for the season, Frank Clements showed his immense value to Aldgate with figures of 3/12 (8). He was well supported by Will Turner (2/5), Brian Stephens (2/9) and Matty Hansen (2/23). The home side wasted no time in knocking off the runs in the 20th over, finishing on 0/72. Josh Callaghan made 37 not out from 62 balls (3 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while his opening partner Will Quigley-Smith finished with 29 not out from 56 balls (3 x 4’s). 

Meadows has ominously moved inside the top-four after their 43-run win at home against Stirling. It was the Bulldogs’ fifth consecutive win. The powerful Meadows batting lineup was in full flight yesterday with Haydn Reid (67 not out), Rohan Reid (49) and Luke Tonkin (44) continuing their excellent seasons. This trio has amassed 1,369 runs between them this season with Haydn Reid leading the HCA with 557 runs at 69.63. Chad Dawe put the ‘cherry on top’ yesterday with a whirlwind knock of 41 not out from just 13 balls! Dawe’s innings included one four and five sixes as Meadows finished with an imposing 3/219 from their 40 overs. Jack Read (1/38) and Kosta Sinodinos (1/45) were the wicket takers for Stirling. The Eagles had plenty of contributors in their run chase with Pete Fryer (41), Daniel Gonzalez (32), Read (24), Harrison Webb (22) and Jack Pick (22) all getting starts but no-one could go on to the big score required to chase down the target. Stirling came up short as they were bowled out in the 37th over for 176. All five Meadows bowlers claimed wickets with Tom Bevan Giles (3/33) continuing his good recent form which has seen him take nine wickets in the last three games. He was well supported by Rohan Reid (2/30) and Dawe (1/24). 

Ladder (after round 13)

Mount Lofty 54, Aldgate 54, Meadows 51, Stirling 51, Kangarilla 51, Scott Creek Ironbank 24, Uraidla 18, Bridgewater 9.

Round 14 fixture (home team named first)

Kangarilla v Aldgate 

Scott Creek Ironbank v Bridgewater

Uraidla v Stirling

Mount Lofty v Meadows