Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) moved a game clear on top of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder after defeating Kangarilla by 70 runs during round 12 action at Kangarilla on Saturday. SCIB won the toss and batted first and they were in all sorts of trouble early at 3/22 before Tom Watton and Aaron Thompson came together. This pair added 52 runs for the fourth wicket before Watton was dismissed for 28 (45 balls). Thompson continued on to top score with 59 not out (104 balls) as the visitors posted 9/144 from their 45 overs. Ben Evans was the standout bowler for ‘Kangies’  with figures of 4/21 (9), while Steve Featherstone (2/15) and Jack Evans (2/28) chipped in with a couple of wickets each. Kangarilla’s run chase was a disaster from the start as they slumped to 6/17 before eventually being bowled out for 74 in the 38th over with skipper Lachlan Knight playing a lone hand with 45 from 118 balls. Scott Creek Ironbank’s bowlers did a great job, bowling 12 maidens, as Beau Thomas took the honours picking up 5/9 (7.1 overs). He was well supported by Daniel Desengo (3/21) and Ben McGowan (2/6). It has been an amazing turnaround in fortunes for SCIB who have already won three more games than they did in the entire 2022/23 campaign.

Meadows moved within one win of the top-four following a comprehensive nine-wicket win at Bridgewater. The Raiders batted first with veteran Luke Hoyle top scoring with 49 from 61 balls (4 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while Ty Watson (29) and Will Fearnhead (21) made useful contributions. Meadows skipper Rohan Reid was the leading wicket taker for the Bulldogs snaring 4/34 (9). Zack Robertson (2/29) and Will Bevan-Giles (2/38) were the other multiple wicket takers. Meadows got off to an excellent start in the run chase with Luke Tonkin and Dylan Brown putting on 97 runs for the first wicket before Brown went for 57 from 61 balls (4 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Tonkin was joined by Rohan Reid as the winning runs were knocked off in the 36th over. Tonkin top scored with 60 not out (112 balls), while Reid made 41 not out (41 balls). Jarrad Tait (1/29) was the sole wicket taker for Bridgewater. 

Mt Lofty moved up to second spot on the HCA ladder after a comfortable seven-wicket win against Stirling at Heathfield Oval. Stirling batted first and it was hard work as the Eagles were bowled out for 144 in the 40th over. Pete Fryer (26 not out), Connor McFadyen (25), Jack Pick (19) and Jack Read (18) were the leading run scorers for the Eagles. Redcaps fast bowler Adam Carthew, having his first bowl for the season coming back from injury, showed his class as he snared 3/13 (8). Connor Milde (2/19) and Max Hawke (2/36) were the other multiple wicket takers. Mt Lofty opener Josh Healey made his highest score of the season with a boundary laden 52 from 47 balls (9 x 4’s). Josh Mitchell continued his consistent season with a hard-hitting 43 from just 32 balls. His innings included three boundaries and another three ‘maximums’. Redcaps skipper Jordan Neis-Beer contributed a steady 27 not out (86 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 29th over. Ned Hopgood (1/18), Read (1/23) and McFadyen (1/38) were the wicket takers for Stirling. 

Mylor continued their good run of form with a 34-run win at home against Aldgate. Aldgate looked to have the game well within their keeping as they reached 2/102 in pursuit of Mylor’s total of 160, before a collapse of 8/24 saw the Gaters rolled for 126. Earlier Mylor had battled their way to their total of 160 with Nic Wilson (39), Adrian Gaunt (24) and Liam Tansell (20) the leading contributors. The Aldgate attack was led by Jack Woollard who picked up 4/29 (9). Shaun Atkins (3/36) and Matt Hansen (2/30) were the other wicket takers for the visitors. James Anthony (36), Atkins (31) and Mitch Thomas (20) got Aldgate into a winning position before an inspired bowling spell from Tom Plant, plus three run outs, put paid to the Gaters. Plant snared 5/9 from 6.1 overs to be the hero for the Pipers as Aldgate were bowled out in the 42nd over. Michael Warburton (1/24) and Joel Durnford (1/31) were the other wicket takers for Mylor. 

Ladder (after round 12)

Scott Creek Ironbank 48, Mt Lofty 42, Kangarilla 42, Aldgate 36, Mylor 36, Stirling 30, Meadows 30, Bridgewater 24.

Round 13 fixtures (home teams named first)

Aldgate v Kangarilla

Meadows v Mylor

Mt Lofty v Scott Creek Ironbank

Stirling v Bridgewater