Stirling defeated Meadows for the first time in ‘A’ grade ranks since March 2014 during round six action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) on Saturday to consolidate their spot in the top-four. Stirling skipper Jack Pick won the toss and asked Meadows to bat first at Stirling Oval and the visitors struggled to a total of 108 before being bowled out in the 40th over. Haydn Reid (25), Daniel Cross (24) and Anthony Hughes (21) were the leading run scorers for the Bulldogs. Five Stirling bowlers took wickets with Pete Fryer, in his first ‘A’ grade game of the season, taking 3/26 off 7.3 overs. He was well supported by Jack Read (2/6), Pick (2/11) and Dan Parfitt (2/12). Read’s spell was particularly miserly as he bowled four maidens in his eight-over spell. Stirling started their run chase in solid fashion as Daniel Gonzalez (19) and Myles Collins added 33 for the first wicket before ‘Speedy’ was dismissed. New recruit Matthew Frith (0) came and went quickly which brought Kosta Sinodinos (15) to the crease, with he and Collins putting together a crucial 48-run partnership for the third wicket. The Eagles lost three more wickets before getting the runs in the 34th over with Collins top scoring with 47 from 89 balls (3 x 4’s). Former Bridgewater opening bowler Adam Eckerman, in his first game for Meadows, took 2/24 (7), while Brad Louch (2/34) was the other multiple wicket taker for the Bulldogs. 

Mount Lofty maintained top spot on the HCA ladder with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Aldgate at Heathfield Oval. Mount Lofty skipper Jordan Neis-Beer won the toss for and he decided to send Aldgate in. It was tough going for the visitors as they slumped to 5/55 before Will Quigley-Smith tried to resurrect the innings with a battling top score of 42 from 69 balls (3 x 4’s). He didn’t get a lot of support though, with Harry Morbey (18) the next best with the bat for the ‘Gaters’. The Redcaps were missing Adam Carthew but their depth in bowling was on display with Dave Bennett (3/21), James Kittel-Neill (2/28), Aaron Smith (1/24) and Brett Pistola (1/31) the wicket takers. Mount Lofty got off to their usual fast start with Jack Sandercock (20) and Josh Healey (16) adding 28 for the first wicket in just four overs. Neis-Beer and Stewart Leigh then joined forces to put on 76 for the third wicket before Neis-Beer was dismissed for 33 from 60 balls (3 x 4’s). Leigh continued on to make 47 not out from 53 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) as the winning runs came up in the 28th over. Jake Turnbull (1/11), Angas Wauchope (1/16) and Matty Hansen (1/38) were the wicket takers for Aldgate.

Kangarilla won their fourth game of the season with a low-scoring 25-run win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Kangarilla. SCIB won the toss and sent Kangarilla in and the move paid early dividends as ‘Kangies’ were in trouble at 3/36. Lachlan Knight (26) and Cade Lawson (25) resurrected the innings with a handy 36-run stand for the fourth wicket before Ryan Grimmond (33 not out) and Ryan Smallman (15 not out) put on an unbroken 41-run partnership for the sixth wicket as the home side finished on 5/134 from their 40 overs. Beau Thomas (1/11), Aaron Thompson (1/17), Daniel Desengo (1/23) and Max Matheson (1/29) were the wicket takers for Scott Creek Ironbank. SCIB got themselves into a reasonable position at 1/40 with Zane Lewis (19) and Darcy Campbell (19) putting on 36 for the second wicket and Desengo gave the visitors some hope with a top scoring knock of 34 but it wasn’t enough as SCIB were bowled out for 109. Steve Featherstone did the damage for ‘Kangies’ with his third five-wicket haul since Kangarilla moved to the HCA in 2014/15. ‘Feathers’ rolled back the clock to snare 5/15 from seven overs and he was well supported by Ben Evans, who took 2/16 from his eight over spell. 

Uraidla won their second game of the 2021/22 season with a comfortable 65-run win at Bridgewater on Saturday. The win was set up by a fantastic opening partnership of 136 runs between Alex Heptinstall and Peter Wilson. Heptinstall made 77 from 94 balls (6 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while Wilson finished with 55 from 106 balls (7 x 4’s). Israel Symington put the icing on Uraidla’s batting cake with a hard hitting 30 from just 14 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as the Demons posted 4/197 from their 40 overs. Veteran Luke Hoyle (3/46) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Raiders. Bridgewater were never really in the hunt during the run chase as only Hoyle (31) and Charlie Birnie (26) passed 20 with Bridgewater bowled out in the 37th over for 132. Six Uraidla bowlers took wickets with Tom Bassett (4/30) and Renzo Gaetan (2/17) leading the way. 

Ladder (after round 6)

Mount Lofty 30, Stirling 27, Kangarilla 27, Aldgate 24, Meadows 15, Uraidla 12, Scott Creek Ironbank 6, Bridgewater 3.

Round 7 fixture (home team named first)

Aldgate v Kangarilla

Scott Creek Ironbank v Bridgewater

Stirling v Uraidla

Meadows v Mount Lofty