Willunga staged a stunning comeback on Saturday to defeat Noarlunga at Myponga Oval and remain undefeated after round six in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). The Demons were in all sorts of trouble as Noarlunga made their way to 0/63 at drinks before a dramatic collapse saw the Shoes lose 10/40 to be bowled out in the 38th over for 103, 24 runs short of Willunga’s total of 7/127 (40 overs). Anthony Burgess (51) and Jason Scarff (31) were the only Noarlunga batsmen to reach double figures. Simon Roberts (3/23), Joel Docking (2/10) and Luke Goldner (2/17) were the chief destroyers for the reigning premiers. Earlier Willunga batted first and struggled to 3/32 at drinks on a very slow outfield. David Scarff bowled a fantastic spell for the Shoes to claim a miserly 2/5 from his eight overs with Peter Lamz (3/41) the other multiple wicket taker. The Demons key partnership came from Roberts (49 from 57 balls) and Docking (30 from 93 balls) who added 59 runs for the fourth wicket which gave the Demons’ innings some impetus to reach what turned out to be a winning score. 

Willunga skipper Luke Harding was ecstatic with the victory. “Noarlunga started the match really strongly thanks largely to David Scarff who bowled an impressive opening spell, used the conditions well, and gave us nothing to hit,” said Harding. “At drinks we weren’t where we wanted to be but the next 20 overs set up the match for us thanks to the batting of Docking, Roberts and Sean McIvor. We knew 127 was going to be hard to chase on such a slow outfield. ‘Junior’ (Jason Scarff) & AJ (Anthony Burgess) started well in reply but we always knew that one wicket would change the game and it did. Goldner was great for us to get the initial breakthrough and then he finished the job well with Roberts. With Noarlunga well on top at 0/63, and then for us to bowl them out for 103, gives us a lot of confidence that no matter what the situation of the game is, we will back ourselves.”

Encounter Bay jumped up to second spot on the GSCA ladder following a crucial 26-run victory over Goolwa at Goolwa Oval. Batting first, the visitors posted what appeared a moderate total of 5/108 from their 40 overs. Skipper Cam Lintern (38 not out) and Blake Bailey (35) were the mainstays of the innings for the Bays. Josh Jones snared 2/21 (8) for the Magpies while Andy Evans was very economical returning figures of 1/7 (8). Goolwa made a poor start to their run chase as they slipped to 2/5 before Fred Nissen (23) joined Luke Giddings (14) in a 34-run third wicket stand. It was all Encounter Bay from then on as they captured the last eight Goolwa wickets for just 43 runs as the Magpies were bowled out in the 36th over for 82. Riley Puckridge (3/10) and Simon Acheson (3/11) were the chief destroyers for the Bays as they secured their third victory of the season. 

Port Elliot won their second game in a row and moved inside the top four for the first time in 2020/21 after defeating McLaren Districts by 56 runs at Port Elliot. The Bloods batted first and through handy contributions from Ethan Spriggs (24), Brodie Whitbourne (16) and Joel Harris (16), reached 4/79 at drinks. Ben Griffiths joined Hayden Gordge in what would become a crucial partnership for Port Elliot as the pair added 86 runs for the fifth wicket before Griffiths was dismissed for 66 from 55 balls (7 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). Gordge was dismissed shortly after for 28 as the home side racked up 8/187 from their 40 overs. Stephen Nairn (3/41) and Josh van den Broeke (2/41) were the multiple wicket takers for the Crushers while leg-spinner David Smith bowled a very economical eight-over spell to finish with figures of 1/13. Ben Wilcox (20) and Luke Goodieson (16) made solid contributions at the top of the order for McLaren Districts but when Goodieson was dismissed the visitors fell to 4/61. Nairn (39) joined Dylan Howie to add 54 runs for the fifth wicket before Howie was dismissed for 40 (4 x 4’s). The end came quickly as the Crushers were dismissed for 131 in the 38th over. Veteran Simon Donaldson (3/31), Josh Andrewartha (2/27) and Ben Martin (2/11) were the best of the bowlers for Port Elliot. 

Ladder (after round 6)

Willunga 36, Encounter Bay 21, Noarlunga 18, Port Elliot 15, Goolwa 15, McLaren Districts 3.

Round 7 fixtures (16/1/21) (one-day games/home teams named first)

Willunga v Port Elliot

McLaren Districts v Goolwa

Encounter Bay v Noarlunga