Noarlunga have continued their undefeated start to the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) season after a convincing 10-wicket victory over Mount Compass on the turf at Burgess Oval. The home side batted first on day one and could only muster a total of 96. Opening batsman Sheldon Burgess was a standout making 55 and being the eighth batsman dismissed. Bryce Garrard (20) was the only other player to reach double figures. Peter Lamz was miserly with the ball for Noarlunga taking 3/5 (12.4) while Matthew Ray snared 2/21 (13). Noarlunga were untroubled in their run chase as they passed the target without losing a wicket with skipper Jason Scarff (77) and fellow opener Anthony Burgess putting on 132 for the first wicket. Burgess went on to score 105 not out, his first century for the Shoes as the visitors declared their innings at 2/243, a lead of 147 runs. Mount Compass had 41 overs to try and avert losing outright and Noarlunga pushed hard reducing the Bulls to 7/44 but ultimately the home side held on to finish at 8/62 with Matthew Pimlott top scoring with 20. The Shoes used nine bowlers in the second innings with Robert Peat (3/6) and David Scarff (2/15) the multiple wicket takers.

Encounter Bay joined Noarlunga in the undefeated ranks after a strong 128-run win at home over McLaren Districts. The home side batted first on day one and were dismissed off the last ball of the day for a very competitive total of 254. The day was set up by Encounter Bay’s Sam Hoffmann who top scored with a fine 98. Hoffmann has had an excellent season so far with 230 runs at an average of 76.67. He was well supported by Jonah Magor (36), Jacob Grenfell (27), Mitchell Reilly (25) and Sam Overall (22). McLaren Districts shared the wickets around with Dylan Howie (2/8), Lachlan Cooper (2/23) and Daniel Hoskin (2/56) the leading wicket takers. McLaren Districts were never really in the hunt in their run chase with only skipper Stephen Nairn (24) and Antony Natale (23) passing 20 as the visitors were bowled out in the 50th over for just 126. Blake Bailey with 3/34 (9) was the chief wicket taker for Encounter Bay and he was ably supported by skipper Cam Lintern (2/10) and Chris Butler (2/16).

Port Elliot moved into fifth spot on the GSCA ladder with a big 140-run home victory over Myponga. The home side built their  innings around a string of good partnerships including 63 for the fifth wicket, 58 for the third wicket and 48 for the fourth wicket. Ben Griffiths (65) notched his second half century of the season, skipper Jesse Consalvo made 53 and Brodie Whitbourne contributed 48 as the Bloods declared at 6/261 after 60 overs. Vince Nizzola with 3/54 (16) was the pick of the bowlers for Myponga. The run chase started reasonably well for the Mudlarks as they reached 1/49 before a collapse of 4/7 saw Myponga in trouble at 5/56. Mitch Farquhar (22) and Stuart Kennewell (26 n.o.) battled hard before they were bowled out for 121.  Consalvo was the pick of the bowlers for Port Elliot as he snared 3/30 (9). The Bloods enforced the follow on and Myponga did better in their second dig reaching 1/61 off 22 overs. Michael Mottillo (26) and Kennewell (21 n.o.) were best with the bat.

Willunga has won their third game in a row with a hard fought 21-run over Goolwa at Willunga Oval. After being sent in on day one, Willunga were in early trouble as they slumped to 5/42. Luke Goldner was holding the innings together as he fought hard to his half century before being dismissed for 57 (99 balls). He was joined by Bradley Miller (31) in a crucial sixth wicket stand worth 78 runs. Sam McIvor added a handy 23 (21 balls) at the end of the innings as the Demons were bowled out in the 60th over for 157. Jayden Crees bowled an inspirational spell for the Magpies to finish with the fantastic figures of 5/25 from 22.1 overs. The five-wicket haul brought up Crees’ 50th wicket for Goolwa in just 15 matches. The Magpies began their run chase well reaching 1/55 on the back of a solid 51-run second wicket partnership between Luke Giddings (25) and Andrew Evans (23) but a collapse of 5/22 followed to leave the visitors in all sorts of trouble at 6/77. Fred Nissen (22) and Crees (16) kept their side in with a chance of victory but ultimately the Magpies were bowled out for 136 with five overs remaining in the match. Simon Roberts bowled a marathon spell for Willunga to finish with 4/40 from an incredible 33.1 overs. Roberts now has 14 wickets at the amazing average of just 5.57 this season. Goldner (2/20) and Miller (2/45) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Demons.

Round 5 (16/11/19 & 23/11/19) fixtures are two-day matches (home team named first)…..

Noarlunga v Encounter Bay

Goolwa v Port Elliot

McLaren Districts v Mount Compass

Myponga v Willunga