Stirling has won their third game in a row after a comprehensive seven-wicket victory at Bridgewater as round nine concluded in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA). Stirling resumed day two at 1/0 in pursuit of Bridgewater’s first innings of 138 as Kosta Sinodinos and Myles Collins set about blunting the home side's attack. This pair added 40 for the second wicket before Collins was run out for 14. Sinodinos was joined by skipper Jack Pick as the Eagles methodically closed in on the target with an 83-run third wicket partnership before Sinodinos was dismissed for a fine 58 (111 balls). Pick continued on to finish on 41 not out as the target was reached in the 53rd over. Adam Eckermann was the standout bowler for the Raiders with the figures of 2/21 from 12 overs.

Mount Lofty has also won their third game in a row and moved inside the top four for the first time this season. The Redcaps resumed at 1/19 in pursuit of Flagstaff Hill’s sub-par first innings total of 71 and lost two early wickets at Heathfield Oval to be 3/19 and the Falcons were in with a bit of a sniff. James Kittel-Neill joined skipper Jordan Neis-Beer and these two set about slowly resurrecting the innings. There were no further dramas for Mount Lofty as they added 89 for the fourth wicket with Neis-Beer scoring 48 and Kittel-Neill 47 as the home side pushed on before declaring their innings closed at 6/148, an overall lead of 77 runs. Jack Walton (2/7) and Kyle Petty (2/35) were the multiple wicket takers for Flagstaff Hill. There were still 30 overs left in the game as Lofty pushed for the outright victory but the Falcons defended stoutly to finish on 1/19 when stumps were drawn early.

Aldgate has won consecutive games for the first time since last years finals series after a nail biting 11-run victory at Kangarilla. Aldgate were on top early dismissing dangerous openers Steve Featherstone and Jono Makai to have the home side in trouble at 2/40. Matthew Bertelsmeier and Brodie May (24) then put on an excellent 66-run partnership for the third wicket and Kangarilla looked in good shape at 2/106. May and Ben Ryan were dismissed shortly after the tea adjournment and when Bertelsmeier went for a fine 73, Kangarilla were in trouble at 5/145. Skipper Che Martinsen remained the big hope for Kangies but when he was dismissed for 26, Aldgate closed in on the win as the Gaters took the last 5/39 (including three run-outs) to bowl the home side out in the 69th over for 216. Frank Clements backed up his 66 with the bat to take 4/61 from 21 overs and he was well supported by Matty Hansen with 2/37.

Meadows had the bye.

The competition takes a break over the Australia Day long weekend for the annual Meyer Shield competition to be hosted by the Murray Towns Cricket Association. 

Round 10 (1/2/20 & 8/2/20) fixtures are two-day matches (home team named first).....

Stirling v Meadows

Mt Lofty v Kangarilla

Flagstaff Hill v Bridgewater

Aldgate has the bye