Bridgewater won their first game of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) season with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Mylor in a match reduced to 40 overs at Bridgewater Oval yesterday. Mylor won the toss and decided to bat first and were in early trouble at 2/12, before Alex Kern (17) and Ben James came together to add 68 runs for the third wicket. James went on to top score with 45 (81 balls). Tight bowling from the Raiders restricted Mylor to 9/131 from their 40 overs. Luke Hoyle (2/5), Jarrad Tait (2/17) and Caleb Risson (2/34) were the multiple wicket takers for Bridgewater. The Raiders lost Hoyle (4) early, but skipper Justin Summerill and Will Fearnhead put the game beyond doubt with a 116-run second-wicket stand. Summerill top scored with 67 (101 balls), while Fearnhead finished on 43 not out (69 balls) as Bridgewater won with more than eight overs to spare. 

Mount Lofty continued their undefeated start to the season with a comprehensive 94-run win against reigning premier Stirling at Heathfield. The game was reduced to 35 overs per side with the Redcaps batting first. Mount Lofty had a number of contributors with Adam Carthew (54 from 53 balls) leading the way. He was well supported by Josh Healey (45) and Nick Justice (32) as the home side posted 5/169. Veteran Stirling all-rounder Julian Zytnik was the pick of the bowlers with 2/22 (7). The Eagles were never in the hunt in their run chase as they were bundled out for just 75 in the 29th over. Pete Fryer top scored with 15 (35 balls). Peter Giannes was the leading wicket taker for the Redcaps as he captured the fine figures of 4/15 (7). Carthew completed an excellent all-round game with 3/8 from 3.3 overs.

Aldgate won their third game of the season with a comfortable 58-run win with the game being played at Meadows. The game was reduced to 30 overs per side with the ‘Gaters’ batting first and posting 5/170. Josh Callaghan (34) and skipper Jake Turnbull added 72 runs for the second wicket before Frank Clements joined Turnbull at the crease. Turnbull went on to score 57 from 61 balls, while Clements remained unbeaten on 57 (44 balls). Simon Parker took 4/36 (6) for the Demons. Peter Wilson (33) was the only Uraidla batsman to pass 20 as Uraidla finished their 30 overs on 7/112. Luke Smet (3/33) and Matty Hansen (2/8) were the main wicket takers for Aldgate.

Kangarilla consolidated their spot in the top-four with an eight-wicket victory against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Cherry Gardens. In another rain-reduced match (30 overs), SCIB batted first and were in early trouble with both openers dismissed and the score on 2/4. Andy Adams (28) and Thomas Watton put on 71 runs for the third wicket to give the innings some impetus as Watton went on to top score with 68 from 93 balls. SCIB finished with 7/130 from their 30 overs. Ryan Grimmond (2/23) and Ryan Smallman (2/33) were the multiple wicket takers for Kangarilla. ‘Kangies’ lost Ben Evans (2) early, before Lachlan Knight (17) joined with Steve Featherstone to add 47 runs for the second wicket. Featherstone continued on to top score with an unbeaten 77 from 86 balls (7 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). ‘Feathers’ received good support from Grimmond, who completed an excellent all-round game with 31 not out (34 balls) with Kangarilla winning with 18 balls to spare. 

Meadows had the bye.

Ladder - after round 8

Mount Lofty 36, Aldgate 27, Kangarilla 27, Stirling 24, Meadows 21, Scott Creek Ironbank 18, Uraidla 18, Bridgewater 15, Mylor 6.

Round 9 fixtures - home team named first

Stirling v Scott Creek Ironbank

Meadows v Kangarilla

Uraidla v Mount Lofty

Aldgate v Mylor

Bridgewater has the bye