Mount Lofty all-rounder Adam Carthew has led his side to a 29-run win against Meadows, as the Redcaps took over on top of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder following round 14 action at Heathfield on Saturday. Carthew top scored for Mount Lofty with 58 not out from 63 balls as his side posted what appeared a sub-par score of 5/130 from their 45 overs. Ryan Pistola (19), Jordan Neis-Beer (15) and Tim Noble (14 not out) also made handy contributions for the home side. David Bates (2/9) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Bulldogs. Meadows got off to a fair start with Rohan Reid (20) and Haydn Reid (8) adding 33 for the first wicket. A collapse of 7/31 however, saw Meadows in deep trouble at 7/64. The dangerous Chad Dawe gave his side a sniff of victory with a hard-hitting 43 from 42 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), but it wasn’t enough as the visitors were bowled out for 101 in the 29th over. Carthew completed a man-of-the-match performance with 6/19 (7.3), his seventh five-wicket haul in HCA ‘A’ grade ranks. ‘Carty’ is having an excellent season with 30 wickets at an average of 6.87, and has also made 352 runs at 39.11. Peter Giannes chimed in with 2/20 (9), including the big wicket of Rohan Reid.

Bridgewater has stormed into the top-four after defeating Kangarilla by 44 runs, their fourth win on the trot. The Raiders batted first on their home deck and were in early trouble at 4/66. Jarrad Tait joined Jackson Hooper at the crease with this pair adding 81 runs for the fifth wicket before Tait departed for 41 from 34 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Hooper continued on with Liam Sutcliffe (27 not out) to put on an undefeated seventh wicket stand worth 70 runs, as Bridgewater posted 6/225 from their 45 overs. Hooper finished with 102 not out from 90 balls (12 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). It was Hooper’s second ‘A’ grade ‘ton’. Jack Evans (2/40) was the only multiple wicket taker for Kangarilla. ‘Kangies’ were never really in the run chase as they battled their way to a total of 181 before being bowled out in the 42nd over. Ryan Grimmond (48), Ryan Smallman (45) and Steve Featherstone (22) were the major run scorers for Kangarilla. Veteran Luke Hoyle (3/7), Tait (2/22) and Liam Risson (2/43) led the way with the ball for the red-hot Raiders. 

Mylor won their third game of 2022/23 with a 23-run win at home against Uraidla. The Pipers batted first and got off to a good start with Ben James (20) and former Redbacks batsman Tom Plant putting on a 41-run opening stand. Plant was then joined by the inform Adrian Gaunt to add 85 runs for the second wicket before Plant went for 58 from 83 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Gaunt continued on to top score with 63 from 73 balls (5 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) as Mylor put up a competitive 8/198 from their 45 overs. Renzo Gaetan was the pick of the Demons bowlers with the excellent figures of 3/12 from nine overs. Peter Wilson was the other multiple wicket taker with 2/5 (2). Uraidla appeared in a winning position with Wilson and skipper Michael Parker at the crease and the score on 2/149. The dismissal of Wilson for 80 (121 balls), brought an end to a 104-run third wicket stand with Parker (44 from 48 balls), and led to a dramatic collapse, with the Demons losing 8/26 to be bowled out for 175 in the 44th over. Veteran Matt Steadman was the destroyer with 5/31 (8.2) for an ever-improving Mylor outfit. 

Aldgate and Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) played out a thrilling tie at Aldgate Oval which sees both teams outside the top-four, but still in the hunt for a finals berth. The ‘Gaters’ batted first with Frank Clements (40), Josh Callaghan (40), Jake Turbull (32) and Mitch Thomas (25) all making handy contributions as Aldgate finished on 9/195 from their 45 overs. Beau Thomas (3/37), Andy Adams (2/24), Daniel Desengo (2/33) and Tom Watton (2/44) were the wicket takers for SCIB. Adam Shearwood (24) and Watton (18) were the best of the top-four batsmen, but when Shearwood went, SCIB were in strife at 4/54. Aaron Thompson joined Adams and this pair got their team back into the game with an 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Adams went for 47 (58 balls). Thompson then added 40 runs for the sixth wicket with Conor Lidstone (11) and at 5/175, SCIB looked home and hosed. Aldgate then claimed three more wickets and scores were tied with six balls remaining, but the visitors still had two wickets in hand and were sitting at 'odds-on' for victory. Enter Luke Smet (3/19) to bowl the last over. He dismissed Ben McGowan (14) with the first ball of the over, before removing Beau Thomas (0) with two balls remaining. The other wicket takers for Aldgate were Frank Clements (3/29), Callum Wauchope (2/50) and Matt Hansen (1/24). 

Stirling had the bye.

Ladder - after round 14

Mount Lofty 54, Meadows 51, Stirling 48, Bridgewater 39, Aldgate 36, Kangarilla 33, Scott Creek Ironbank 33, Mylor 24, Uraidla 18.

Round 15 fixtures (11/2/23) - home team named first

Bridgewater v Stirling

Mount Lofty v Scott Creek Ironbank

Meadows v Mylor

Kangarilla v Aldgate

Uraidla has the bye