Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) moved back to the top of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder after a thrilling five-run win at Kangarilla during round 16 action yesterday. SCIB won the toss and batted first with Adam Shearwood and Andy Adams adding 104 runs for the first wicket before Adams was dismissed for 28 (82 balls). Jarrod Thompson (25 not out) and Cameron Wildy (17) made handy contributions, but it was Shearwood who played the pivotal innings with 72 from 109 balls. Shearwood now has 527 runs for the season as his side posted a competitive 5/173 from their 45 overs. Che Martinsen was the leading wicket taker for ‘Kangies’ with 3/36 (9). Kangarilla got off to a poor start in the run chase as they slipped to 3/46 before Che Martinsen (28) and Steve Featherstone added 51 runs for the fourth wicket. Ben Evans (29 not out) and ‘Feathers’ got Kangarilla within sight of victory, needing 20 runs from the final two overs, before Featherstone was dismissed for 59 (101 balls) with six balls left in the innings. 13 runs were required from the final over with SCIB bowler Suresh Sripada holding his nerve to get his side over the line. Ben McGowan (2/16) and Daniel Desengo (2/25) were the leading wicket takers for Scott Creek Ironbank.

Aldgate moved back inside the top-four with a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Mt Lofty at Heathfield Oval. The Redcaps batted first with Josh Healey and Jordan Neis-Beer (18) adding 56 runs for the second wicket before Healey went for 40 (67 balls). Healey’s dismissal precipitated a collapse of 6/20 as the home side slumped to 7/84. Peter Giannes (37 not out) and Connor Milde (33) saved the innings with a 62-run stand as Mt Lofty finished on 8/153. Jack Woollard (2/20), Shaun Atkins (2/21) and Jake Turnbull (2/23) were the pick of the Gaters’ bowlers. Aldgate started their run chase with a couple of handy partnerships before Shaun Atkins joined James Anthony to add 57 for the third wicket until Anthony departed for 33 (62 balls). Atkins and Josh Callaghan (18 not out) saw their side to victory with 40 balls to spare as Atkins top scored with 55 not out from 61 balls (2 x 4’s, 6 x 6’s). 

Mylor won their second game in a row with a 29-run win at home against Bridgewater to move up to third spot on the ladder. The Pipers batted first with their innings underpinned by a fine 163-run stand between Tom Plant and Nic Wilson. Wilson made his second half century of the season with 67 from 114 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while former first-class cricketer Plant made 100 from 131 balls. It was Plant’s first ‘ton’ for Mylor and included six boundaries and five sixes as his side put up 7/196 from their 45 overs. Ty Watson (4/48) was the leading wicket taker for Bridgewater. The Raiders had a good crack at the run chase with Watson (46) and Peter Atkins (43) top scoring, but ultimately they came up short, bowled out for 167 in the 41st over. Five Mylor bowlers took wickets including Todd Dellatorre (3/30), Plant (2/8) and Dylan Quinn (2/37).

Meadows made it three wins on the trot to keep their finals hopes alive after securing a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Stirling yesterday. Meadows won the toss and sent the hosts in with Daniel Gonzalez (29), Jack Pick (27), Harrison Webb (21) and Jack Read (21) all making starts, but no Eagles batsman converted their start into a big score as they were bowled out for 125 in the 40th over. Veteran Meadows bowler Chad Dawe snared 3/27 (9) and he was well supported by Zack Robertson (2/16) and David Bates (2/32). After losing opener Luke Tonkin early, Dylan Brown and Rohan Reid came together to add 125 runs for the second wicket to take their side to victory in the 29th over. Brown finished on 50 not out from 66 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Reid top scored with 74 not out from 97 balls (7 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). Connor McFadyen (1/33) was the sole wicket taker for Stirling. 

Ladder (after round 16)

Scott Creek Ironbank 57, Mt Lofty 54, Mylor 54, Aldgate 51, Stirling 48, Meadows 48, Kangarilla 42, Bridgewater 30.

Round 17 fixtures (home team named first)

Aldgate v Bridgewater

Stirling v Kangarilla

Scott Creek Ironbank v Meadows

Mt Lofty v Mylor