Yankalilla moved up to fifth position on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Victor Harbor by 81 runs during round 10 action at Victor Harbor on Saturday. The Tigers batted first and compiled 6/197 from their 40 overs. The innings was set up by an 82-run second wicket stand between Luke Bartlett (31) and Aaron Smith. Doug Jones (27) and skipper Lachie Whittlesea (20) played useful innings, but it was Smith who dominated with a hard-hitting 96 which included 12 boundaries. Lachlan Hywood (3/51) and Josh Boyko (2/37) were the multiple wicket takers for the Vipers. ‘Victor’ got themselves to 1/60 in the run chase with Boyko (31) and Tim Watson (20) the leading run scorers, but a collapse of 9/56 saw the Vipers dismissed for 116 in the 40th over. Off-Spinner Scott Wilson (3/17) was the leading wicket taker for ‘Yank’ and he was well supported by Smith (2/15) and Luke Bartlett (2/18). 

Port Elliot consolidated second spot on the ladder with a low-scoring three-wicket win against Goolwa. The Magpies batted first and were in trouble at 4/44 when Josh Jones joined skipper Sam Carlyle to add 40 runs for the fifth wicket before Carlyle went for 49. Jones continued on to make 35 as Goolwa posted 7/115 from their 40 overs. Veteran Simon Donaldson was the pick of the Port Elliot bowlers with 3/20 (8), while Liam Harris took 2/23 (7). Port Elliot were in strife early in the run chase as they slipped to 3/14 with Jones and Jayden Crees doing the early damage with the ball for Goolwa. Hayden Gordge (24) joined his skipper Joel Harris in resurrecting the innings with a 59-run stand for the fourth wicket. Four quick wickets fell as Port Elliot were under severe pressure at 7/92 before Josh Andrewartha (6 not out) joined Harris to put on 25 runs as the Bloods got over the line with two overs to spare. Harris guided his team brilliantly to finish with 48 not out, while Jones (4/10) and Crees (2/13) were the standout bowlers for Goolwa.

Encounter Bay kept their top-two hopes alive with a five-wicket win against Noarlunga at Old Noarlunga on Saturday. The Shoes batted first but their innings never really gained any impetus with Anthony Tucker (23) and Jason Scarff (22) the only batsmen to pass 20. Four Encounter Bay bowlers took wickets including Blake Bailey (3/11), Chris Butler (2/13), Matt Overall (2/24) and Luke Crichton (2/24). The Bays were under early pressure in their run chase as they slumped to 3/14 in the ninth over. The experienced duo of Sam Hoffmann and Cam Lintern came together in a crucial partnership to add 50 for the fourth wicket before Lintern was dismissed for 17 (40 balls). Hoffmann continued on to top score with 53 (88), while Max Longhurst made 20 not out (24) as the winning runs came up in the 32nd over. 

Myponga-Sellicks won their second game of the season with a thrilling eight-run win against McLaren Districts at McLaren Flat on Saturday. The Mudlarks batted first and it was tough going as they fought their way to 9/117 from their 40 overs. Cam Turner (21), Michael Tomlinson (19) and Ryan Haverty (19) were the leading run scorers for Myponga-Sellicks, while Jim Ryan (3/15), Stephen Nairn (2/26) and Jacob Banks (2/29) were the main wicket takers for the Crushers. McLaren Districts started their run chase in disastrous fashion as they slipped to 4/19 in the 14th over. Crushers skipper Luke Goodieson started a rescue mission for his side with 29 (64 balls), while Banks (17) and Nairn (16) chipped in but ultimately it wasn’t enough as they were bowled out for 109 in the 39th over. Left-arm seamer Vinnie Nizzola was the star for Myponga-Sellicks with the excellent figures of 4/2 from 7.2 overs including an amazing six maidens. Ryan Haverty (2/8) and Sean Haverty (2/25) were the other multiple wicket takers for the triumphant Mudlarks.

Willunga maintained their spot at the top of the GSCA ladder following a convincing 101-run victory at home against Mount Compass. The Demons batted first with their innings being set up by an excellent 140-run partnership between Rhys Allard and Chad Franceschini. Franceschini top scored with 71 from 83 balls (7 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s), while Allard made 62 off 91 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Rory Hanson added a hard-hitting 28 not out (15 balls) as Willunga posted 7/195 from their 40 overs. Skipper Aaron Dalitz (2/27) was the best of the Mount Compass bowlers. ‘Compass’ were never in the run chase as they finished on 7/94. Josh Murfitt continued his good season to top score with 41 (79 balls), while Joel Webber made 20 (52 balls). Sean McIvor (2/9), Luke Harding (2/11), Simon Roberts (2/13) were the best of the Willunga bowlers. 

Ladder (after round 10)

Willunga 52, Port Elliot 48, Encounter Bay 45, Noarlunga 36, Yankalilla 30, Mt Compass 27, Goolwa 24, McLaren Districts 21, Myponga-Sellicks 18, Victor Harbor 3.

Round 11 fixtures (home side named first - 3/2/24 & 10/2/24)

Encounter Bay v McLaren Districts

Port Elliot v Noarlunga

Victor Harbor v Myponga-Sellicks

Goolwa v Willunga

Yankalilla v Mt Compass