Noarlunga will go into the Christmas/New Year break undefeated and on top of the ladder following their six-wicket win over Goolwa during round six action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Old Noarlunga yesterday. Noarlunga were chasing Goolwa’s day one total of 7/188 and after losing Sean Williams (1) early, Travis Bronstein and Michael Ledgard settled in for a long partnership. This pair added 109 runs for the second wicket before Bronstein was dismissed for 87 from 146 balls (8 x 4’s). Ledgard finished with 45 not out, while Jamie Diener (23) and Cam Bullard (21 not out) made handy contributions as the winning runs came up in the 65th over. Josh Jones (2/58) and Sean McIvor (1/64) were the wicket takers for Goolwa. 

McLaren Districts moved up to second spot on the ladder after a 10-wicket outright victory over Willunga. McLaren Districts resumed day two with a first innings lead of 83 runs and extended this out to 123 runs before being bowled out for 182. Crushers Skipper Justin Twartz top scored with 33 not out, while Malcolm Radford took 4/46 for the Demons. Willunga fared better in their second innings with Roger Lanson (29 not out) and Ramesh Anthony (23) top scoring as they were bowled out for 125. Stephen Nairn (2/9), Roy Graham (2/14), Kevin Grant (2/20) and George Beard (2/27) were the multiple wicket takers for McLaren Districts. This left just three runs for the Crushers to claim outright victory with the runs coming up in the first over.

Myponga-Sellicks kept their finals hopes alive with a 47-run win at home against Port Elliot. The Bloods were up against a stiff task as they were in pursuit of the Mudlarks’ day one total of 7/279 and they gave the total a good crack before being bowled out for 232 in the 64th over. Jaspa Tonkin (52), Scott Hannam (41), Sam White (31) and Levi Stringer (28 not out) were the leading run scorers for Port Elliot. Kym Dooley (2/68) and Ryan Banning (2/69) took a couple of wickets each for the Mudlarks, but the star of the day was all-rounder Ryan Haverty. After scoring 81 on day one, Haverty snared 6/60 (16.2) to complete a fine all-round display.

Mt Compass had a convincing 127-run victory against Victor harbor yesterday. After making 214 on day one, the Bulls bowled ‘Victor’ out for 87 in reply. Jesse Ortega (28), Luke Harding (21) and Kenny Sumner (12) were the only Vipers batsmen to reach double figures as they were bowled out in the 41st over. Rilee Endersby was the star for Mt Compass with the ball as he took 5/8 from 8.5 overs, while Josh Dalitz snared 2/14 (6). Victor Harbor were asked to follow-on and reached 4/65 before stumps were drawn after 24 overs. Harding (33 not out) top scored for the Vipers, while Endersby took 4/29 (10) to finish with match figures of 9/37. 

Encounter Bay had a big 205-run win at Yankalilla after bowling the Tigers out for 130 in pursuit of the Bays’ huge day one total of 7/335. Tigers skipper Luke Bartlett top scored with 46 (82 balls), while Aaron Smith chipped in with 25 (41). Young opening bowler Kieran Garrett took 5/42 from 11.2 overs for the Bays, while Jamie Caddy finished with the miserly figures of 2/3 from seven overs. Asked to follow-on, Yankalilla finished on 1/91 from 18 overs with opening batsman Lachlan Whittlesea top scoring with 68 not out from 65 balls (11 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Garrett was the wicket taker with 1/21 to complete match figures of 6/63. 

Ladder (after round 6)

Noarlunga 40, McLaren Districts 28, Port Elliot 28, Goolwa 24, Encounter Bay 24, Yankalilla 21, Myponga-Sellicks 16, Mt Compass 9, Victor Harbor 6, Willunga 0.

Round 7 (4/1/25 - 1 day games)

Mt Compass v Encounter Bay

Myponga-Sellicks v Willunga

Port Elliot v Noarlunga

Goolwa v McLaren Districts

Victor Harbor v Yankalilla