Minor Premier Willunga are the first team through to the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) Grand Final following a 46-run win over Encounter Bay at Port Elliot yesterday. Willunga batted first on day one and despite losing Joel Docking (8) early, skipper Luke Harding and Braden Altus batted patiently to reach 1/79 at the tea break. The partnership eventually was worth 76 runs before Altus was dismissed for 39 (105 balls). Harding was next to go for a patient 38 (115 balls). The Altus/Harding partnership set an excellent base for the Demons middle order as Simon Roberts (22) added 40 runs for the fifth wicket with the dangerous Luke Goldner. Goldner dominated the latter stages of the innings to finish on 60 not out from 75 balls (5 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s) as Willunga finished their 70 overs on 8/208. Michael Walters (3/29), Cam Lintern (2/33) and Shane Hastings (2/39) were the chief wicket takers for Encounter Bay. The Bays run chase started disastrously as they slipped to 3/9 with Goldner (3/14) snaring all three wickets. Opening batsman Jason Parry was watching all the carnage unfold as he was joined by Lintern to begin the revival. The pair set about getting the innings back on track and they achieved this with an excellent 116-run fourth wicket stand before Lintern was dismissed for 66. Parry went on to make 75 but Encounter Bay lost their last 7/37 to be bowled out for 162. After Goldner’s initial burst, Willunga turned to spin with Harding (4/45 from 18.1 overs) and Simon Roberts (3/65 from 28 overs) sharing the last seven wickets. The Demons now have the week off while Encounter Bay take on Port Elliot in the preliminary final.



Port Elliot won their way through to the preliminary final with a five-wicket win over Noarlunga at Willunga oval. The game was played yesterday as a one-day match after Saturday was called off due to a wet pitch and surrounds. The Shoes won the toss and batted first with Anthony Burgess (21) and Jason Scarff (17) putting on 38 for the first wicket before Scarff was dismissed by Liam Harris (3/32). Port Elliot fielded well and bowled tightly with veteran Simon Donaldson taking 2/33 (14) as Noarlunga struggled their way to 6/109 from their 40 overs. Jeff Colo (23) top scored for the Shoes. Colby Whitbourne started the run chase well for the Bloods as he and Ethan Spriggs added 28 runs for the first wicket before Spriggs was dismissed. Two more quick wickets fell and the game was in the balance with Port Elliot at 3/36. David Scarff did all the damage with an excellent opening spell of 3/19 (10). Colby Whitbourne went soon after drinks for a fine 43 (68 balls) with his innings including eight boundaries. When Hayden Gordge (10) was dismissed by Jason Scarff (2/45), Port Elliot were 5/67, still 43 runs short of victory. Liam Harris (7 not out) joined Ben Griffiths to see their side over the line in the 33rd over. Griffiths played an excellent counter-attacking knock of 41 not out from 37 balls with his innings including six boundaries. Port Elliot move on to play a home preliminary final against Encounter Bay while Noarlunga’s season is over.

‘A’ Grade Preliminary Final (20/3/21 & 21/3/21)

Encounter Bay v Port Elliot (Port Elliot)