Meadows won their second game of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) season following a convincing 10-wicket win against Uraidla during round four action at Uraidla on Saturday. The win was set up by a brilliant opening stand between skipper Rohan Reid and young ‘keeper-batsman Oscar Tydeman. This pair put on an unbroken partnership worth 202 runs to easily haul in the victory target in the 36th over. Reid finished with 120 not out (103 balls), his 41st ton for the Bulldogs, while Tydeman ended up with 79 not out (110 balls). Earlier, Uraidla posted a competitive total of 6/199 from their 45 overs. Pete Wilson top scored with 64 from 99 balls (7 x 4’s), and he was well supported by Ty Watson (40), Israel Symington (29) and Alex Heptinstall (22). Callan Blackwell was the leading wicket taker for Meadows with 3/35 (9), while Reid captured 2/29 (9). 

Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) had a thrilling one-run victory at Bridgewater on Saturday to move inside the top-four on the HCA ladder. SCIB batted first and struggled their way to a total of 127 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Darcy Campbell (36) and Devin Payne (26) were the leading lights with the bat for the visitors. Five Raiders bowlers took wickets as veteran Luke Hoyle snared 4/20 (6.3) with his spell including a hat-trick! Brent Sutcliffe (2/16) was the other multiple wicket taker for Bridgewater. ‘Bridgy’ started their run chase well with Hoyle (30) and Justin Summerill (18) putting on a good opening stand. Brent Sutcliffe (19) and Caleb Risson (17) made handy contributions as the game went down to the final over. Daniel Key (2/42) stepped up with the final wicket to break Raiders hearts. Suresh Sripada took the bowling honours with 3/26 from eight overs and he got great support from Beau Thomas (2/26) and veteran left-armer Andy Adams, who bowled a miserly spell of 2/5 from nine overs with six maidens.

Mount Lofty remained undefeated and on top of the HCA ladder following their 40-run victory over Aldgate at Heathfield Oval. The Redcaps batted first with Josh Healey (41 from 49 balls) and Jordan Neis-Beer (49 from 93 balls) continuing their good early-season form. Adam Carthew made his fourth ‘A’ grade half century to top score with 56 from 63 balls as Mount Lofty posted a competitive 9/188 from their 45 overs. Young Aldgate seamer Charles Quigley-Smith took the bowling honours with 4/18 (8), while Matty Hansen took 4/43 (9). Aldgate started the run chase well with Josh Callaghan (19) and Shaun Atkins (44) opening up. Aldgate skipper Jake Turnbull (32) and Will Quigley-Smith (27) made useful contributions, but no ‘Gaters’ player made the big score required as they were bowled out for 148 in the 44th over. Carthew completed a fine all-round double for the Redcaps with 4/23 from eight overs, while former Aldgate premiership player Connor Milde snared 3/25 (7.2). 

Stirling won their second game of the season to consolidate their spot in the top-four after defeating Mylor by three wickets in a low-scoring game at Mylor Oval. The home side batted first against a miserly Stirling bowling attack led by opening bowlers Charlie Fryer (3/12) and Chris Shaw (3/18). Ben James (39) and Alex Kern (31) were the only batsmen to pass 20, while Stirling served up a whopping 26 wides to aid the Pipers in reaching 8/129 from their 45 overs. Jack Read came out firing for the Eagles with 29 from 19 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), but regular wickets continued to fall around skipper Jack Pick. Pick anchored the innings with a fighting 50 from 88 balls (5 x 4’s), but when he was dismissed, the game was on the line. Up stepped Josh Cox (14 not out) and Ned Hopgood (11 not out) to get the reigning premiers over the line with 16 balls to spare. Five bowlers took wickets for Mylor with Michael Warburton (2/11) and Oliver Barnes (2/22) the  multiple wicket takers.

Kangarilla had the bye. 

Ladder - after round 4

Mount Lofty 18, Stirling 18, Meadows 15, Scott Creek Ironbank 12, Uraidla 12, Aldgate 9, Kangarilla 9, Bridgewater 3, Mylor 0.

Round 5 fixtures - home team named first

Scott Creek Ironbank v Aldgate

Kangarilla v Bridgewater

Meadows v Mount Lofty

Mylor v Uraidla

Stirling has the bye