Reigning premier Stirling started their premiership defence in style with a comfortable six-wicket victory against Aldgate in the opening round of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Stirling Oval yesterday. Aldgate batted first and struggled throughout their innings as they were bowled out for just 99 in the 31st over. Jack Woollard top scored for the Gaters with 19 (29 balls). Veteran medium-pace bowler Julian Zytnik snared 4/25 (9), while Charlie Fryer took 3/13 (5). The home side wasted no time in the run chase as the winning runs came up in just the 18th over with Harrison Webb (26 not out) top scoring, while Jack Pick made 21 (39 balls). Matt Hansen was the pick of the Aldgate bowlers with 2/16 (5). 

Mt Lofty had a four-wicket victory over Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) in a high-scoring game at Heathfield Oval yesterday. SCIB batted first with Aaron Thompson (26) and Adam Shearwood adding 63 runs for the first wicket. Shearwood continued on to top score with a well-made 82 from 126 balls (12 x 4’s), while Darcy Campbell finished the innings well with 37 (37 balls) as the visitors posted 6/194 from their 45 overs. Anthony Jennings was the pick of the Redcaps bowlers with 4/32 from his nine-over spell. Redcaps skipper Josh Healey (27) got his side off to a decent start, but at 3/56 the game was in the balance. Stewart Leigh joined Adam Carthew in what would prove to be the decisive partnership of the match. This pair added 81 for the fourth wicket before Leigh went for 51 from 50 balls (5 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while Carthew went on to top score with 60 (86 balls) as the Redcaps brought up victory in the 39th over. 

Kangarilla opened their 2025/26 campaign with a comfortable nine-wicket win at Uraidla yesterday. The home side batted first with Felix Gadomski-Mott (47) and Alex Heptinstall (31) leading the way as Uraidla posted a total of 161 before being bowled out in the 43rd over. Five Kangarilla bowlers took wickets with Ben Evans (3/15), Che Martinsen (2/20), Ryan Grimmond (2/32) and Steve Featherstone (2/33) the leading wicket takers. Featherstone (36) and Jake Turnbull added 77 runs for the first wicket, before Grimmond joined Turnbull to knock off the target in the 34th over. Turnbull finished with 48 not out, while Grimmond top scored with 53 not out from 54 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Simon Parker (1/22) was the sole wicket taker for Uraidla.  

Meadows had the bye.

Ladder (after round 2)

Stirling 4, Kangarilla 4, Mt Lofty 4, Meadows 0, Scott Creek Ironbank 0, Uraidla 0, Aldgate 0.

Round 3 (25/10/25 - home team named first)

Aldgate v Kangarilla

Meadows v Uraidla

Scott Creek Ironbank v Stirling

Mt Lofty has the bye