Uraidla pulled off a big upset after defeating Meadows by 10 runs in their round eight clash at Uraidla Oval yesterday in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA). Uraidla won the toss and batted first with veteran Ryan Hunter (29) and Alex Heptinstall (26) adding 55 for the first wicket. Dylan Brown (22), Simon Parker (17) and Renzo Gaetan (15), all made handy contributions before the Demons were bowled out in the 39th over for 151. Luke Tonkin was the star with the ball for Meadows with figures of 5/24 (6). It was Tonkin’s fourth five-wicket haul for Meadows. Chad Dawe (2/25) and Max Buckley (2/27) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Bulldogs. Tonkin (10) and Haydn Reid (23) got Meadows off to a steady start as they put together a 35-run opening stand. Simon Parker (1/28) removed the dangerous Tonkin and then first-change bowler Ben Brumby struck three big blows for the Demons. Brumby removed Anthony Hughes (0), Haydn Reid and then he snared the prized scalp of Meadows skipper Rohan Reid for 10, as Meadows slipped to 4/59. Oscar Tydeman (32) and Dawe (22 n.o.) tried hard but it wasn’t enough as Meadows finished 10 runs short on 7/141. Brumby finished with the excellent figures of 3/12 (8) and he was well supported by Mitch Makings (1/19 off 8 overs). 

Kangarilla consolidated their spot in the top four with an 18-run win over reigning premier Mount Lofty at Kangarilla yesterday. It was a tough day for the batsmen as ‘Kangies’ batted first and made 7/150 from their 40 overs. Ben Evans top scored with 36 from 47 balls and he was aided by handy contributions from Cade Lawson (25) and Steve Featherstone (24). Max Hawke (3/24) and Adam Carthew (2/26) were the pick of the Redcaps bowlers. Mount Lofty were missing a number of regular players including skipper Jordan Neis-Beer, so 150 was always going to be a tricky target. It got even tougher as they slipped to 3/27 with Che Martinsen (3/31) getting the big wicket of the in-form Josh Healey (8). Makeshift opener Carthew was anchoring the innings as he made 29 from 74 balls, while in his first ‘A’ grade game this season, Zef Wood top scored with 37  from 58 balls. Featherstone was the sixth bowler to be called upon by Kangarilla and for the second time in three weeks, the big fast bowler snared a five-wicket haul. ‘Feathers’ finished with 5/18 from seven overs to complete a very big win for the home side as Mount Lofty were bowled out in the 38th over for 132. 

Stirling maintained top spot on the ladder with a convincing nine-wicket victory over bottom side Bridgewater at Stirling Oval. The Stirling bowlers were particularly miserly as they restricted the Raiders to a score of 111 before they were bowled out in the 40th over. All six Eagles bowlers took wickets with Pete Fryer (2/14), Daniel Parfitt (2/18), Charlie Fryer (2/19) and skipper Jack Pick (2/19) leading the way. Veteran Dylan Wiles (30 from 27 balls) and the returning Jackson Hooper (20) were the only Bridgewater batsmen to reach 20. Stirling were keen on an early drink at the nearby Stirling Hotel as they knocked off the winning runs in just the 16th over. Daniel ‘Speedy’ Gonzalez was on fire with eight sixes and five fours on his way to 86 not out from just 51 balls with Gonzalez taking 27 from one Justin Summerill over. His opening partner Myles Collins chipped in with 22 in a 72-run opening stand. Chris Murray (1/27) was the sole wicket taker for Bridgewater. The Eagles play Kangarilla in the match of the round next week. 

Aldgate moved to second place on the ladder with a 10-wicket defeat of Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Aldgate Oval. Aldgate were without skipper Jake Turnbull so Josh Callaghan took on the leadership duties and after winning the toss, he sent the visitors in. The move paid immediate dividends as Matty Hansen (2/16) removed the dangerous Adam Shearwood without scoring. Daniel Desengo was the only batsman in the top seven to surpass 20 as he made 27 from 57 balls. Coming in at 6/64, Ben McGowan provided some excitement with a swashbuckling 41 from just 24 balls. ‘Big Ben’ hit one boundary and five ‘maximums’ in his brief but entertaining stay. SCIB were dismissed in the 28th over for just 110. Off-spinner Harry Morbey led the way as he claimed 4/39 from his eight overs. Aldgate opening pair Mitch Thomas and Josh Callaghan set about the task in solid fashion as they made their way to 0/27 from 10 overs. The innings was given a real ‘kick along’ as Thomas took 20 runs from Beau Thomas’ second over with the winning runs coming up in the 24th over. Thomas finished on 66 not out (4 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s), while Callaghan made 40 not out (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6). 

Ladder (after round 8)

Stirling 39, Aldgate 36, Kangarilla 33, Mount Lofty 30, Meadows 21, Uraidla 18, Scott Creek Ironbank 12, Bridgewater 3.

Round 9 fixture (home team named first)

Aldgate v Uraidla

Meadows v Scott Creek Ironbank

Mount Lofty v Bridgewater

Kangarilla v Stirling