Victor Harbor won their first game since returning to ‘A’ grade ranks last season following a thrilling four-run win over Willunga during round five action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) on Saturday. Resuming at 6/72 on day two, the Vipers reached 122 before being bowled out in the 40th over. Cameron Jones (25) top scored for ‘Victor’, while Mal Radford (3/22), Dan Hockham (3/30) and Eddie Last (3/30) were the chief wicket takers for Willunga. The Demons had 48 overs to chase their target and they started poorly, slipping to 5/43, before recovering through Hockham (30), Takdir Sahota (18) and Adam Penman (14) to reach 6/102. However, the Vipers would not be denied as they steadied to bowl Willunga out for 118 in the 47th over to claim the victory. Former Willunga premiership captain Luke Harding was the destroyer for Victor Harbor with 5/30 from 23 overs, while left-armer Kenny Sumner snared 4/21 (6.4).

Noarlunga remained undefeated and top of the ladder after a six-wicket win against McLaren Districts. The Crushers resumed on day two at 6/126 and finished their innings at 9/172 from 55 overs. Justin Twartz (51), Kevin Grant (29) and Ben Worrall (21) were the leading run scorers for McLaren Districts. Jamie Diener (4/56) and Jett Holberton (2/25) took the bowling honours for Noarlunga. Noarlunga got off to a fast start in the run chase with Diener making 25 from 13 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6), but at 3/65, the Shoes were in a bit of trouble. Jason Scarff joined Travis Bronstein at the crease and this pair put the game to bed for the Shoes with a 99-run stand for the fourth wicket. Scarff made 46 (67 balls), while Bronstein top scored with 68 not out from 97 balls (8 x 4’s) as the winning runs came up with more than 16 overs to spare. Matthew Treloar (2/45) was the leading wicket taker for the Crushers. 

Goolwa won their fourth game of the season with a comfortable 75-run win against Port Elliot at Goolwa on Saturday. The Magpies resumed at 0/109 as Sam Carlyle and Jesse Le Ray (46) pushed their opening stand up to 124. Matt Overall hit a quickfire 29 (22), while Carlyle went on to top score with 90 (154) as the Magpies posted 6/194 from their 53 overs. Liam Harris (2/39) and Simon Donaldson (2/48) were the multiple wicket takers for the Bloods. Port Elliot got off to a good start in their run chase with Ethan Spriggs (26) and Ben Griffiths (25) putting on 52 for the first wicket. That was as good as it got for the visitors as they lost 10/67 to be bowled out for 119. Port Elliot skipper Joel Harris top scored with 35 (52), while the star of the show was Magpies spinner James Lawrence. The left-arm tweaker spun a web the Bloods couldn’t escape from as he snared 7/33 from 18 overs. Sean McIvor (2/41) and Overall (1/15) were the other wicket takers. 

Encounter Bay consolidated their spot in the top-six with a five-wicket victory at home over Myponga-Sellicks. The Mudlarks resumed day two on 5/82 and were bowled out for 106 in the 45th over. Kieran Garrett (4/14) was the pick of the Bays bowlers, while Blake Bailey chipped in with 2/30 (11). Encounter Bay had 57 overs to reach the target and the win was set up by a 47-run stand between Paul Fantasia (35) and David Schulze (33). Bailey (18) and Sam Hoffmann (17) chipped in as the total was passed with five wickets in hand. The Bays batted on before being bowled out for 133. Kym Dooley was the standout bowler for the Mudlarks with 5/26 from 11 overs. 

The game between Mt Compass and Yankalilla was abandoned on day two due to rain on Friday night and Saturday morning. 

Ladder (after round 5)

Noarlunga 34, Port Elliot 28, Goolwa 24, Yankalilla 21, McLaren Districts 18, Encounter Bay 18, Myponga-Sellicks 10, Victor Harbor 6, Mt Compass 3, Willunga 0.

Round 6 (home team named first - 2 day games)

Victor Harbor v Mt Compass

Noarlunga v Goolwa

Willunga v McLaren Districts

Yankalilla v Encounter Bay

Myponga-Sellicks v Port Elliot