Noarlunga consolidated their spot in the top-six with an 88-run win against the previously undefeated Goolwa during round 10 action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Old Noarlunga on Saturday. The Shoes batted first and were in early trouble at 3/20 before Matthew Spaan joined Jason Scarff at the crease. This pair steadied the ship with a fourth wicket stand worth 43 runs before Spaan went for a patient 18 (43 balls). Sam Hehir then joined his skipper as Noarlunga slowly got on top, with Scarff continuing on to top score with a match-defining 80 not out from 118 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Hehir was run out off the last ball of the innings for 33 (39 balls) as the home side reached 5/146 from their 40 overs. The partnership between Scarff and Hehir was worth 83 runs. Goolwa never got going in their run chase as they slumped to 6/26 at the 20-over drinks break. Cam Bullard bowled an impressive spell of 4/5 from his eight overs and he was backed up by Scarff who completed a fine all-round double, with the miserly figures of 2/2 from eight overs. Ben Stewart-Tonkin (2/17) also chimed in with a couple of scalps. Goolwa skipper Jayden Crees top scored for his side with 23 from 53 balls.

Reigning premier Willunga kept their finals hopes alive with a thrilling four-run win against Encounter Bay on Saturday. The Demons batted first on their home deck and were under immense pressure as they struggled their way to 8/69 with Simon Roberts (33) and Matthew Impey (13) the only players to reach double figures. Willunga skipper Dan Hockham was joined by Matthew Bolton (6 not out) in what would turn out to be a match winning partnership worth 43 runs as the Demons finished with 8/112 from their 40 overs. Hockham went on to top score with 35 not out (1 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Sam Hoffmann bowled an excellent spell for Encounter Bay as he finished with 4/12 from his eight overs. Bays skipper Blake Bailey was also excellent with 3/3 from eight overs. Willunga had all the momentum as opening bowler Sean McIvor (2/10) got two early wickets before Cam Lintern and Bailey (27 not out) came together to add 45 runs for the fourth wicket, and the Bays seemed well on track for a win at 3/93. The dismissal of Lintern for 51 turned the game with Simon Roberts taking 3/18 (8), and Encounter Bay finishing their innings on 8/108, just five runs from victory. Impey (2/30) also picked up a couple of wickets. 

Port Elliot consolidated second spot on the GSCA ladder with a comfortable eight-wicket victory against Yankalilla. ‘Yank’ batted first with Aaron Smith (33) and Luke Bartlett (27) helping the Tigers to a score of 128 before being bowled out in the 39th over. Five Port Elliot bowlers took wickets with Chris O’Connor (3/16), Simon Donaldson (3/28) and Ben Martin (2/21) leading the way. Port Elliot were never troubled in the run chase after Hayden Gordge and Liam Harris put on 86 for the first wicket. Gordge made 40 (86 balls), while Harris finished on 59 not out (118 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 37th over. Teenager Ryan Borlace was the best of the Yankalilla bowlers with 1/15 from his seven overs.

Myponga-Sellicks strengthened their grip on a finals spot with a comfortable six-wicket win against Mount Compass at Burgess Oval. The home side batted first and finished with 6/132 from their 40 overs. Josh Murfitt and Paul Barrett were involved in the key partnership of the innings as they added 75 runs for the second wicket before Barrett was dismissed for 32. Murfitt went on to top score with 64. Ryan Haverty (2/22) was the leading bowler for the Mudlarks. The Myponga-Sellicks run chase was dominated by left-hand opening batsman Michael Tomlinson who scored 68. He got good support from Ryan Haverty (21) in a 53-run stand for the second wicket as the winning runs came up in the 35th over. 

McLaren Districts continued their resurgence in 2022/23 with an eight-wicket win against Aldinga at McLaren Flat. Aldinga batted first and were bowled out in the 36th over for 123. Five McLaren Districts bowlers took wickets with left-arm spinner Jacob Banks the standout with 4/25 (8). Luke Goodieson (2/17) and Stephen Nairn (2/22) were the other multiple wicket takers. Justin Twartz and Zac Hodges opened well with a 77-run stand for the first wicket before Twartz went for 39. Hodges continued on to top score with 54 and he was well supported by Goodieson with 26 not out as the winning runs came up in the 32nd over. 

Ladder - after round 10

Goolwa 58, Port Elliot 52, Noarlunga 43, McLaren Districts 43, Encounter Bay 37, Myponga-Sellicks 30, Willunga 24, Yankalilla 21, Mount Compass 12, Aldinga 0.

Round 11 fixtures (4/2/23 & 11/2/23 - home team named first)

Encounter Bay v Port Elliot

Myponga-Sellicks v Aldinga

Mount Compass v Yankalilla

Goolwa v Willunga

Noarlunga v McLaren Districts