Reigning premiers Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) won their third game in a row and have all but assured themselves of a spot in the top-four, after a high-scoring 42-run win against Meadows during round 13 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Cherry Gardens on Saturday. The home side batted first and it was the ‘Adam Shearwood/Aaron Thompson Show’ as the opening pair put on a huge 225-run stand with Shearwood making 128 (120 balls) and Aaron Thompson scoring 100 (125 balls), as SCIB posted an imposing 4/269 from their 45 overs. Meadows’ run chase started shakily with both openers dismissed and the score at 2/31. Veterans Rohan Reid and Chad Dawe came together for a 58-run fourth wicket stand before Reid was dismissed for 66 (95 balls), while Chad Dawe top scored with 68 from 57 balls (6 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Adam Ramsbottom (22) and Jake Hughes (19 not out) made handy contributions as Meadows finished on 9/227. Beau Harwood (3/32), Ben McGowan (3/44) and Andy Adams (3/55) were the leading wicket takers for Scott Creek Ironbank.

Stirling warmed up for finals action with an emphatic eight-wicket home win against Aldgate on Saturday. The Gaters batted first and reached a good position at 1/50 through Pierce Cordes-Harvey (40) and Mitch Thomas (24), but from then on it was all Stirling. The Eagles took 9/61 to bowl Aldgate out for 111 in the 40th over. Harrison Webb (3/3), Ned Hopgood (3/17) and Jack Pick (2/33) were the multiple wicket takers for Stirling. The Eagles were untroubled in the run chase with Sean McCullum (37), Jack Pick (23 not out) and Jack Read (23) seeing their side over the line in the 18th over. 

Bridgewater moved into the top-four following their 57-run victory over Mylor at Bridgewater Oval on Saturday. The Raiders batted first James Dawson (48) and Ty Watson (36) leading their side to 1/97, before a collapse of 9/61 saw them bowled out for 158 in the 40th over. Liam Tansell (3/3), Nick Cook (2/17), Oliver Sendy (2/20) and Dylan Quinn (2/34) were the major wicket takers for the Pipers. Mylor got off to a good start with Michael Warburton (19) and Tom Plant (47) adding 43 runs for the first wicket before a collapse of 10/58 saw Mylor bowled out for 101 in the 40th over. Peter Atkins (3/16) and Liam Risson (3/16) were the stars with the ball for Bridgewater.

Minor premier Mt Lofty had an easy nine-wicket win over Kangarilla at Heathfield Oval. The visitors batted first and were soon in strife at 5/24, before Hartley Nobes chimed in with a top-scoring 47 from 69 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Kangarilla eventually were bowled out for 90 in the 32nd over. Five Redcaps bowlers took wickets with Adam Carthew (3/18) and Sam Furber (2/9) leading the way. Mt Lofty wasted no time knocking off the target as Josh Mitchell whacked 58 not out from 33 balls (3 x 4’s, 5 x 6’s) as the target was reached in just the 16th over. 

Ladder (after round 13)

Mt Lofty 48, Stirling 36, Scott Creek Ironbank 28, Bridgewater 24, Mylor 24, Aldgate 24, Kangarilla 16, Meadows 8.

Round 14 (8/3/25 - home teams named first)

Kangarilla v Bridgewater

Meadows v Mt Lofty

Aldgate v Scott Creek Ironbank

Mylor v Stirling