Stirling consolidated their spot in the top-four on the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder after a thrilling one-run win against Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) on Saturday. Reigning premier Stirling battled their way to 9/158 from their 45 overs with Pete Fryer (36) and Ned Hopgood (30) adding 36 runs for the seventh wicket after the Eagles had slipped to 6/88. Harrison Webb (19) and Daniel Gonzalez (19) also made handy contributions. Daniel Key took the bowling honours for SCIB with 4/35 from eight overs. Josh Dwyer (2/14) and Ben McGowan (2/23) chimed in with two wickets each. Scott Creek Ironbank were in early trouble at 3/38, but they recovered through handy contributions from Andy Adams (29) and Darcy Campbell (27) to reach 5/143 with skipper Adam Shearwood (34 not out) still at the crease. Three quick wickets fell with SCIB needing five runs to win from the last over which was to be bowled by Charlie Fryer. Fryer held his nerve to dismiss Beau Thomas (0) and with two runs required to win off the last ball of the match, John Dwyer (1) was run out to cue the celebrations for Stirling. Five Stirling bowlers took wickets including Ethan Penck (3/21), Charlie Fryer (2/27) and Chris Shaw (2/31).  

Meadows won their third game of the season to draw level on the HCA ladder with Kangarilla after defeating ‘Kangies’ by three wickets at Meadows. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first with Che Martinsen and Lachlan Knight setting up the innings thanks to a 138-run second wicket partnership. Martinsen made 69 (103 balls), but the star of the innings was teenager Lachlan Knight who made his maiden ‘A’ grade century with 100 not out from 121 balls (10 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Ryan Grimmond added a quickfire 33 (26 balls) at the end of the innings as Kangarilla made 5/215. Meadows lost opener Luke Tonkin (3) and Oscar Tydeman (2) early on in the run chase, before Marko Kovac (14) and the returning Haydn Reid (15) were involved in handy partnerships with skipper Rohan Reid. However, wickets continued to fall and when Chad Dawe (2) was dismissed, Meadows were in strife at 5/103 in the 25th over. Brad Louch joined his skipper at the crease in what would turn out to be a match-defining partnership worth 83 runs for the sixth wicket before Louch went for 47 (51 balls). Rohan Reid continued on to bring up his second century of the season on the way to 120 not out from 131 balls (12 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as the Bulldogs brought up the win with seven balls to spare. Steve Featherstone (2/42) and Ben Evans (2/44) were the multiple wicket takers for Kangarilla. 

Mount Lofty continued their unbeaten start to season 2022/23 with a tough four-wicket win at Uraidla. The Demons batted first and put up a defendable total of 186 before being bowled out in the 45th over. The innings was underpinned by a patient innings of 94 (126 balls) from opening batsman Pete Wilson. Tom Bassett (23) was the only other Uraidla batsman to reach 20. Max Hawke (2/24), Connor Milde (2/29) and Matt Pistola (2/35) were the leading bowlers for the Redcaps. Mount Lofty got a good start through Josh Healey (31) and Nick Justice (23) but regular wickets continued to fall until the in-form Adam Carthew was joined by Adam Bennett to see their side to within sight of victory with an 82-run stand, before Carthew went for 41 (54 balls). Bennett continued on to top score with 46 not out from 55 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6) with the winning runs coming up in the 39th over. Israel Symington (2/27) and Renzo Gaetan (2/37) were the multiple wicket takers for the Demons.

Aldgate consolidated their spot in the top-four with a 60-run win against Mylor at Aldgate Oval. The ‘Gaters’ batted first and compiled a very healthy total of 6/252 from their 45 overs. Luke Smet (39), Shaun Atkins (36) and Josh Callaghan (28) all made handy contributions, but the star of the innings was Frank Clements. Clements made a hard-hitting 110, his fourth ‘A’ grade century for Aldgate, with four boundaries and a whopping 12 sixes! Mylor Skipper Michael Warburton was the pick of the bowlers with 2/34 (9). Mylor lost a couple of early wickets to be in strife at 2/14, before Ben James and Shane Maslin combined for a 91-run third wicket partnership. Maslin made 43 (7 x 4’s), while James went on to top score with 70 (9 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). David Carter added 31 (3 x 4’s, 1 x 6) for the Pipers but ultimately the visitors were bowled out for 192 in the 42nd over. Opening bowler Matty Hansen took 4/37 (9) for Aldgate and he was well supported by Smet with 2/23 (7). Damon ‘Damage’ Petersen chimed in with a cheeky 2/2 off one over to finish the game.

Bridgewater had the bye.

Ladder - after round 9

Mount Lofty 42, Aldgate 33, Stirling 30, Kangarilla 27, Meadows 27, Uraidla 18, Scott Creek Ironbank 18, Bridgewater 15, Mylor 6.

Round 10 fixtures (17/12/22) - home team named first

Meadows v Bridgewater 

Mylor v Mount Lofty

Stirling v Kangarilla

Uraidla v Scott Creek Ironbank

Aldgate has the bye