Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) made it two wins from as many starts with an excellent seven-wicket win at Meadows during round two action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) yesterday. It was the first time SCIB had defeated Meadows in 10 years. The home side batted first and posted 7/181 from their 45 overs with Rohan Reid (41), Brad Dawe (38 not out), Luke Tonkin (32) and Oscar Tydeman (29) the leading run scorers for the Bulldogs. Beau Thomas (3/41) and Samuel Hill (2/28) were the multiple wicket takers for SCIB. Scott Creek Ironbank got their run chase off to a great start with Adam Shearwood and Thomas Watton adding 92 runs for the first wicket before Watton was dismissed for 46 (57 balls). Shearwood continued on to make a fine 96 from 97 balls (14 x 4’s) as his side knocked off the target in the 37th over. Tom Bevan-Giles (2/51) was the leading wicket taker for Meadows. 

Aldgate also won their second game to start the season with a five-wicket victory in a high scoring contest with reigning premier Stirling at Stirling oval. The home side batted first and got off to a flier with Jack Read smashing a quickfire 48 from 30 balls. Read’s innings included two boundaries and five sixes. After this fast start, regular wickets fell as the Eagles slumped to 6/120 before Harrison Webb and Pete Fryer came together to add 86 for the seventh wicket. Fryer made an important 47 (43 balls), while Webb continued on to top score with 67 not out (90 balls). Jack Woollard (2/20) and Shaun Atkins (2/39) were the leading wicket takers for the ‘Gaters’. Aldgate had a tough job in front of them as Josh Callaghan and Mitch Thomas came out to open the batting. This pair put the game well in Aldgate’s control with an excellent 166-run opening stand before Thomas was dismissed in the 30th over for 94 from 90 balls (12 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Callaghan went in the next over for 59 from 91 balls (5 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), closely followed by Max Bilsborow (1) who was run out, as Stirling had a bit of a sniff of victory all of a sudden. However, Atkins put the game to bed with a hard-hitting 25 (26 balls) with the winning runs coming up in the 43rd over. 

Kangarilla won their first game for the season with a four-wicket win against Mount Lofty at Heathfield. The Redcaps batted first with Nick Justice (28) and debutant Josh Mitchell (48) the mainstays of the top order. At 7/129 a score of less than 150 was on the cards as Adam Bennett (17) joined Connor Milde. This pair put on 55 runs for the eighth wicket as the home side posted 8/184. Milde went on to make an important 41 not out from 46 balls. Baxter Knuckey (3/33) and Ryan Grimmond (2/35) were the pick of the ‘Kangies’ bowlers. Grimmond and Steve Featherstone opened up with an excellent 99-run stand before ‘Feathers’ went for 30 (41 balls). Grimmond continued on to top score with 66 from 61 balls (8 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Jono Makai made a hard-hitting 49 not out from 54 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6's) as Kangarilla got over the line in the 36th over. Matt Pistola (3/43) and Will Healey (2/47) were the main wicket takers for Mount Lofty.

Bridgewater are on the board in 2023/24 after a convincing 121-run home win against Mylor. Bridgewater batted first and posted a competitive total of 191 with the returning Jarrad Tait (56 off 42 balls), debutant Ty Watson (50 off 91) and Peter Atkins (29 off 27) the leading run scorers for the Raiders. Alex Kern, brought on to bowl the 45th and final over of the innings, took 3/1 (0.5) for Mylor, while Michael Warburton (2/20) and Todd Dellatorre (2/46) were the other multiple wicket takers. Mylor were never in the run chase as they were bundled out for just 70 inside 26 overs. Warburton (13) and Shane Maslin (12) were the only Mylor batsmen to reach double figures as Bridgewater seam bowler Anthony Jennings ripped through the Pipers lineup with 5/20 from nine overs. Watson (2/15) and Tait (2/22) rounded off a great day for the Raiders. 

Ladder (after round 2)

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

Round 3 fixtures (home teams named first)

Kangarilla v Bridgewater

Stirling v Meadows

Aldgate v Mount Lofty

Scott Creek Ironbank v Mylor