Mount Lofty continued their perfect start to the 2022/23 season with a comfortable seven-wicket win against Meadows during round five action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) yesterday. Meadows won the toss and decided to bat first and got themselves into a reasonable position at 1/43 with skipper Rohan Reid (27) and Oscar Tydeman (22) adding 39 runs for the second wicket. From then on it was all Mount Lofty as Meadows lost 9/59 to be bowled out for 102 in 31 overs. Adam Carthew continued his good early-season form with 4/14 from eight overs and he was well supported by Connor Milde with 3/16 (6). The Redcaps were untroubled in the run chase as they knocked off the runs in the 27th over with Josh Healey top scoring with 43 from 54 balls. Healey now has 281 runs at an average of 70.25 this season. Veteran Chad Dawe (2/15) was the best of the Bulldogs’ bowlers.

Aldgate notched their second win of the season with an eight-wicket win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Cherry Gardens. SCIB batted first and got themselves in an excellent position at 1/120 with Devin Payne (65) and Thomas Watton (40) adding 92 runs for the second wicket. Once Watton was dismissed, SCIB lost their last nine wickets for just 62 runs to be bowled out for 182 in the 45th over. Six Aldgate bowlers took wickets with Shaun Atkins (2/17), Frank Clements (2/33) and Jake Turnbull (2/41) the multiple wicket takers. Atkins and opening partner Josh Callaghan put the game beyond doubt for the ‘Gaters’ with an opening stand worth 148 runs before Atkins went for 90 from 100 balls (10 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Callaghan went on to score 59 from 116 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Frank Clements (21 not out from 26 balls) put the finishing touches on the run chase with the winning runs coming up with 26 balls to spare. Daniel Key (1/29) and Ben McGowan (1/30) were the wicket takers for Scott Creek ironbank.

Kangarilla also won their second game of 2022/23 with a tight, low-scoring 16-run win against Bridgewater at Kangarilla. ‘Kangies’ batted first and it was hard going with the Raiders bowling nine maidens and restricting the home side to 6/133 from their 45 overs. Brent Sutcliffe (2/31) was the multiple wicket taker for Bridgewater, while new recruit Jarrad Tait bowled a miserly spell of 1/15 from his nine overs. Che Martinsen (33 from 83 balls) was the ‘rock’ at the top of the order for Kangarilla, while Brodie May gave the innings some much-needed impetus at the end with a hard-hitting 42 not out from 39 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). The visitors got themselves into a good position at 4/90, before a collapse of 6/27 saw them bowled out for 117 in the 40th over. Justin Summerill (21) was the only batsman to pass 20 for the Raiders. Ryan Grimmond (3/16), Che Martinsen (2/11) and Jack Evans (2/15) were the leading bowlers for Kangarilla.

The game between Mylor and Uraidla at Mylor Oval was abandoned due to the oval conditions.

Stirling had the bye. 

Ladder - after round 5

Mount Lofty 24, Stirling 18, Aldgate 15, Meadows 15, Kangarilla 15, Uraidla 15, Scott Creek Ironbank 12, Bridgewater 3, Mylor 3.

Round 6 fixtures - home team named first

Aldgate v Kangarilla

Scott Creek Ironbank v Mount Lofty

Mylor v Meadows

Stirling v Bridgewater

Uraidla has the bye