Reigning premiers Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) got their premiership defence off to the perfect start with a 94-run win over Kangarilla during round one action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Cherry Gardens yesterday. SCIB batted first and put up a handy score of 8/194 from their 45 overs. Sam Hill (40), Aaron Thompson (40), Andy Adams (39) and Daniel Desengo (34) all made handy contributions for the home side. Kangarilla used nine bowlers with Ben Evans taking 4/31 (8). ‘Kangies’ got themselves to 1/44 in the run chase, before losing their last 9/56 to be bowled out for 100. Joel Stidston top scored with 31 (69 balls). Six SCIB bowlers took wickets with Adams (2/13), Stuart Norton (2/17) and Ben McGowan (2/26) the leading wicket takers. 

Mt Lofty and Bridgewater played out a thriller at Heathfield Oval with the Redcaps winning by one run. Mt Lofty batted first with Josh Healey (46) and Nick Justice adding 63 runs for the first wicket. Adam Carthew (25) and Justice put on 52 for the third wicket with Justice going on to top score with 79 from 114 balls (10 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Peter Giannes (28 not out) and Connor Milde (27 not out) helped lift Mt Lofty to 7/235 from their 45 overs. Jarrad Tait (3/49), Justin Summerill (2/24) and Finn Sullivan-Llewellyn (2/38) were the wicket takers for the Raiders. Bridgewater got off to a fast start with Peter Atkins and Luke Hoyle adding 57 runs inside six overs before Hoyle was dismissed for 26 (18 balls). Atkins went on to make 53 from 35 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), but when Bridgewater fell to 7/130, a win appeared a formality for Mt Lofty. Raiders skipper Jarrad Tait had other ideas as he top scored with 68 (51 balls) and he was ably supported by Liam Risson (45) and Sullivan-Llewellyn (17 not out). With three overs left, Bridgewater needed two runs to win, before left-arm seamer Will Healey (4/23) took the final two wickets to secure a dramatic victory. Carthew (3/30) was the other multiple wicket taker for Mt Lofty.

Aldgate defeated 2023/24 finalists Mylor by 54 runs yesterday to get their season off to a great start. On a slow outfield at Mylor Oval, Aldgate battled their way to 7/130 from their 45 overs with skipper Josh Callaghan the standout with 61 from 108 balls (3 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Mitch Thomas proved a good ally for Callaghan with a hard-fought 30 (72 balls). Pipers opening bowler Joel Durnford had a day out with 5/20 from his nine-over spell. Mylor were never in the run chase as they were bowled out for just 76. Alex Kern (15) and Todd Dellatorre (11) were the only batsmen to reach double figures for the home side. Matt Hansen (2/5), Luke Smet (2/17) and Felix Farmer (2/20) were the multiple wicket takers for the ‘Gaters’. 

Stirling won their opening fixture against Meadows by five wickets at Stirling Oval after chasing down Meadows’ total of 168 with more than 17 overs to spare. The Bulldogs batted first with Chad Dawe (37), Oscar Tydeman (35) and Brad Louch (31) leading the way before their side was bowled out in the 44th over. Ned Hopgood (4/25) and Jack Pick (3/30) were the chief wicket takers for the Eagles. Charlie Fryer (39) and skipper Jack Read put on 91 for the first wicket before Read was dismissed in the 13th over for 57 off 38 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Connor McFadyen added a hard-hitting 30 from 21 balls (2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the winning runs came up in the 28th over. Will Bevan-Giles took 3/42 (9) for Meadows.

Round 2 (home team named first)

Mt Lofty v Scott Creek Ironbank

Bridgewater v Aldgate

Kangarilla v Stirling

Mylor v Meadows

Ladder (after round 1)

Stirling 6, Scott Creek Ironbank 6, Aldgate 6, Mt Lofty 6, Bridgewater 0, Mylor 0, Kangarilla 0, Meadows 0.