Reigning premier Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) are the only undefeated team left in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) after defeating Bridgewater by 52 runs in a low-scoring round three match at Cherry Gardens on Saturday. SCIB batted first and got themselves into a good position at 3/107 as Sam Hill top scored with 57 from 52 balls (8 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Bridgewater hit back to take the last seven wickets for just 41 runs as the home side was bowled out for 148. Raiders captain Jarrad Tait took 3/14 (9) and he was well supported by Ben Slater (3/22) and Anthony Jennings (2/44). Bridgewater started well in the run chase as they reached 1/50, mainly due to Ty Watson top scoring with 34 (66 balls). SCIB bounced back hard, snaring 9/46 to bowl Bridgewater out for 96 in the 30th over. Veteran left-armer Andy Adams was the star for SCIB as he took 5/16 from 8.5 overs, while Lachlan Knight (2/9) and Blake Beelitz (2/18) picked up a couple of wickets each.

Mt Lofty moved inside the top four after a tight eight-run win at Stirling on Saturday. The Redcaps batted first and were in early trouble at 3/56 before Adam Carthew joined his captain Jordan Neis-Beer at the crease. This pair slowly started to resurrect the innings as they put on an excellent 155-run fourth wicket stand. Neis-Beer brought up his maiden century with 112 from 115 balls (12 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Carthew made 79 from 86 balls (6 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) with Mt Lofty compiling 6/247 from their 45 overs. Stirling started the run chase in fine style with skipper Jack Read smashing a quickfire 58 from just 31 balls (4 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s). Solid contributions from Harrison Webb (33), Sean McCullum (31), Bayley James (24) and Pete Fryer (22) saw the Eagles get close but ultimately come up short at 9/239. Josh Healey (2/21), Connor Milde (2/26) and Josh Mitchell (2/53) were the multiple wicket takers for the Redcaps.

Meadows won their first game of the season after defeating Aldgate by five wickets. Aldgate batted first with their innings underpinned by opening batsman James Anthony. Anthony top scored with 77 from 111 balls. Pierce Cordes-Harvey (24), Felix Farmer (21 not out) and Max Bilsborow (20) chipped in as the Gaters reached 8/184 from their 45 overs. Five Meadows bowlers took wickets with Brad Louch (2/25) and Callan Blackwell (2/50) the multiple wicket takers. The Meadows response got off to a shaky start as they slipped to 4/51 as Haydn Reid (47 not out) joined Louch at the crease. This pair put on 82 runs for the fifth wicket before Louch was dismissed for 67. Chad Dawe (35 not out) joined Reid and the experienced pair saw their side over the line with an undefeated stand of 52 runs for the sixth wicket. Callum Wauchope (2/29) and Matt Hansen (2/34) were the leading wicket takers for Aldgate. 

Mylor won their second game in a row after a nail biting one-wicket victory at Kangarilla. Mylor skipper Michael Warburton won the toss and sent Kangarilla in on their home deck and ‘Kangies’ were soon in trouble at 3/33 before Lenny Berkefeld joined Ryan Smallman at the crease. This pair added 87 for the fourth wicket before Berkefeld departed for 46 (83 balls). Smallman went on to top score with 51 not out (99 balls) as Kangarilla posted 6/151 from their 45 overs. Warburton led from the front with nine overs of tight off-spin to claim 3/8, while opening bowler Oliver Barnes bowled a miserly spell of 1/6 from nine overs. Mylor were also in trouble in the run chase at 4/51 before Barnes joined Liam Tansell in what would prove a match-winning partnership of 69 for the fifth wicket before Tansell went for a swashbuckling 76 from 53 balls (5 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s). Barnes went on to make 38 (74 balls) as the Pipers got over the line with six overs to spare. Che Martinsen (2/14), Berkefeld (2/17) and Steve Featherstone (2/40) were the leading wicket takers for Kangarilla.

Ladder (after round 3)

Scott Creek Ironbank 18, Stirling 12, Mylor 12, Mt Lofty 12, Bridgewater 6, Meadows 6, Aldgate 6, Kangarilla 0.

Round 4 (home team named first)

Bridgewater v Meadows

Kangarilla v Aldgate

Mt Lofty v Mylor

Scott Creek Ironbank v Stirling