Stirling defeated fellow finals aspirant Kangarilla by three wickets during round 15 action in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) at Stirling Oval yesterday. Kangarilla are now in real danger of missing out on finals action after being top of the ladder at Christmas, while Stirling have all but cemented their spot in the major round. Kangarilla batted first and were soon in trouble as they crashed to 3/5. Lachlan Knight (14) led a small recovery, but at 6/28 it appeared the visitors would be lucky to reach 50. The Stirling opening pair of Pete Fryer and Daniel Parfitt did all the damage with 3/11 and 3/22 respectively. Ben Ryan and Cam Venter came together for Kangarilla and this pair completely changed the complexion of the game with a crucial 83-run stand for the seventh wicket before Ryan was dismissed for 54 from 62 balls (4 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Venter went on to score 50 not out from 72 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) as ‘Kangies’ managed to reach a competitive 9/145 from their 40 overs. Kangarilla carried the momentum gained in the back half of their batting innings into the field as they came out firing, reducing Stirling to 4/27 in the 13th over. Fryer (22) and Harrison Webb (40) steadied the ship with a 66-run fifth wicket stand, but when this pair were both dismissed within the space of just four balls, Kangarilla were back on top with the home side at 6/97. Enter Jack Read who played a brilliant cameo with 38 from just 25 balls (2 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) to take Stirling to the brink of victory which duly came thanks to teenager Charlie Fryer (9 not out), who hit the winning runs in the 37th over. Ryan Grimmond (2/12) and Steve Featherstone (2/25) were the pick of the bowlers for Kangarilla. 

Meadows won their seventh game on the trot following a comfortable 131-run victory at home against Bridgewater. The powerful Meadows batting lineup was once again dominant as they posted 5/199 from their 40 overs. Haydn Reid continued his excellent season with 66 (93 balls) and he was well supported by Luke Tonkin (40), Rohan Reid (24) and Anthony Hughes (23). Brent Sutcliffe (2/31) was the multiple wicket taker for Bridgewater. The Raiders were never in the hunt during the run chase as they were bowled out for just 68 in the 37th over. Brad Louch bowled an inspiring spell to finish with the impressive figures of 4/6 from five overs. Tom Bevan-Giles (3/29) extended his streak of three-wicket performances to five in a row and now has 21 wickets for the season. Max Buckley (1/7), Chad Dawe (1/10) and Rohan Reid (1/13) were the other wicket takers for the Bulldogs. 

Acting Aldgate skipper Josh Callaghan scored his maiden ‘A’ grade ton as the Gaters demolished Uraidla by 136 runs in their round 15 clash at Uraidla. Callaghan made 104 not out from 113 balls (9 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s) in a drought-breaking performance after previously having made nine ‘A’ grade half centuries. Callaghan and Mitch Thomas (42) put on 80 runs for the first wicket before Callaghan and Angas Wauchope (23) put on 76 runs for the fifth wicket to lift their team to 4/234 from their 40 overs. Jamie Kha (2/21) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Demons. Peter Wilson got Uraidla off to a reasonable start as the home side reached 2/56 with Wilson contributing 42 from 70 balls (7 x 4’s). Aldgate then took over to take the last eight Demons wickets for just 42 runs as the home side were bowled out for 98 in the 36th over. All five Aldgate bowlers took wickets with Will Turner (3/21) leading the way. Frank Clements (2/9), Jake Turnbull (2/20) and Matt Lennon (2/30) were the other multiple wicket takers. 

Mount Lofty won their 10th game of the season after a hard-fought 40-run victory over Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Heathfield Oval. The reigning premier were in all sorts of trouble as they slumped to 7/34 before Will Healey (10) and Sam Furber put on 25 for the eighth wicket. Furber was then joined by veteran Dave Bennett in a match defining partnership for the ninth wicket worth 53 runs before Furber went for 31 (55 balls). Bennett finished with a top scoring 34 not out (47 balls) with the Redcaps posting 9/118 from their 40 overs. Daniel Desengo (3/22), Aaron Thompson (2/13) and Beau Thomas (2/25) were the chief destroyers for SCIB. The visitors got themselves into a good position as they reached 4/71 with last week’s century maker Tom Watton on 32. Watton’s dismissal precipitated a dramatic collapse as Redcaps spinner Aaron Smith claimed a hatrick in his third over and four wickets in five balls on his way to the incredible figures of 5/4 from 3.1 overs! SCIB lost their last 6/7 to be routed for 78 in the 33rd over. 

Ladder (after round 15)

Aldgate 66, Meadows 63, Stirling 63, Mount Lofty 60, Kangarilla 51, Scott Creek Ironbank 24, Uraidla 18, Bridgewater 15.

Round 16 fixture (home team named first)

Aldgate v Mount Lofty

Meadows v Kangarilla

Scott Creek Ironbank v Uraidla

Bridgewater v Stirling