Noarlunga pulled off a come-from-behind 15-run win over Port Elliot to move within touching distance of a top-two spot during round eight action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) on Saturday. The Shoes batted first on their home deck and got off to a good start through David Scarff and Danny Irvine, who added 64 runs for the first wicket, before Irvine went for 29. David Scarff went on to top score with 44 (5 x 4’s), while Jason Scarff made 23, as Noarlunga finished with 8/136. Simon Donaldson (4/23) and Chris O’Connor (3/28) were the multiple wicket takers for Port Elliot. The visitors started their run chase in good fashion as they reached 2/90 at the drinks break. Skipper Joel Harris (37) and O’Connor (27) led the way, but it was Noarlunga skipper Jason Scarff doing the damage with 4/21 from his eight overs, as the Bloods started to falter. Jamie Keers then wiped out the tail with 4/3 (3.5) as Port Elliot finished on 9/121 with the Bloods’ Seb Goldsmith unable to bat through injury.

Mount Compass pulled off an amazing one-run victory against reigning premier Willunga in a low scoring game at Willunga. ‘Compass’ batted first and struggled their way through to the 36th over before being bowled out for 73. Scott McAvaney (15), Paul Barrett (14), and James Colley (12) were the only Mount Compass batsmen to reach double figures as five batsmen failed to bother the scorers. Willunga’s Simon Roberts had the incredible figures of 4/5 from eight overs (five maidens), while Rory Hanson took 3/4 (1.5). The Demons run chase started poorly as they slipped to 5/37 before James Whetstone (18) and Charles Papworth (14) led a recovery as Willunga reached 7/71, with just three runs required for victory. In a dramatic finish, the last three wickets fell for just one run to give the Bulls an amazing victory by the barest of margins. Joel Webber (2/8) and Josh Dalitz (2/8) were good contributors for ‘Compass’ with the ball, but it was skipper Aaron Dalitz who did all the damage. The big quick rattled Willunga with the amazing figures of 5/6 from 6.2 overs. 

Goolwa continued their undefeated season with a comfortable eight-wicket win against Aldinga. Aldinga batted first with Brenton Averats (14) the only batsman to reach double figures as they were bowled out for 63. Shaun Burger (4/6), Andy Evans (3/15), Jayden Crees (2/11), and Kingsley Vincent (1/21) were the wicket takers for the Magpies. Goolwa wasted no time in the run chase with Luke Giddings (13) and the returning Jesse Consalvo (42) adding 52 runs for the first wicket as the winning runs came up in the 17th over. Wade Sutherland was the successful bowler for Aldinga with 2/5 (2).

McLaren Districts consolidated their spot in the top-6 with a hard-fought eight-run win against Yankalilla. McLaren Districts batted first and it was a real team effort as they posted a competitive 8/156 from their 40 overs. Zac Hodges top scored with 36 from 67 balls and he was well supported by Ben Worrall (23) and Charl Van Wyk (20). Five Yankalilla bowlers took wickets with Aaron Smith (2/26), Ashley Madden (2/26), and Scott Wilson (2/39) leading the way. Yankalilla got off to a shaky start in the run chase, slipping to 3/36, before Aaron Smith joined Martin Sumner in a third wicket stand worth 80 runs until Smith departed for 57 from 66 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Sumner eventually went for 27 (58 balls) as ‘Yank’ were put under pressure by the Crushers’ bowlers to eventually finish on 9/148, just short of victory. Skipper Luke Goodieson (4/29) and Keith Schofield (3/25) led the way with the ball for McLaren Districts.

Encounter Bay won their fourth game of the season following their 38-run home win against Myponga-Sellicks. The Bays batted first and were under pressure as they slumped to 5/64, before Sam Hoffmann was joined by Zac Thompson. This pair added 58 runs for the sixth wicket before Thompson was dismissed for 20 (28 balls). Hoffmann was the standout for the home side as he finished on 94 not out (116 balls) with his knock including 10 boundaries and two sixes. It was a good recovery from the Bays as they finished on 9/173 from their 40 overs. Four Mudlarks’ bowlers took wickets with Euan Maclachlan the standout with 4/25 (8). He was well supported by Ryan Haverty who snared 3/41 (6). After losing Sean Haverty (0) early, Ryan Haverty and Bradley Hill put together a handy 63-run partnership for the second wicket which was broken when Hill went for 16 (51 balls). Ryan Haverty continued on to top score with 61 from 92 balls (7 x 4’s), but he received little support as the visitors were bowled out in the final over for 135. All six Encounter Bay bowlers took wickets with Kieran Garrett (3/18), Chris Butler (2/12), and Thompson (2/34) the multiple wicket takers.

Ladder - after round 8

Goolwa 52, Port Elliot 40, Noarlunga 37, McLaren Districts 37, Encounter Bay 31, Myponga-Sellicks 24, Yankalilla 15, Willunga 12, Mount Compass 12, Aldinga 0.

Round 9 fixtures (14/1/23 - home team named first)

Yankalilla v Noarlunga

Aldinga v Willunga

Myponga-Sellicks v Port Elliot

Encounter Bay v Mount Compass

Goolwa v McLaren Districts