Willunga are in a great position to wrap up their fifth consecutive minor premiership after a dominant first day at Noarlunga during round 10 action in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA). Noarlunga won the toss and decided to bat first and it was tough going with the Willunga bowling lineup giving very little away. The Shoes battled their way to 1/36 before Luke Goldner took over as the home side lost their last 9/43 to be bowled out for 79. Goldner captured his 10th five-wicket haul for the Demons with the excellent figures of 6/19 from 17 overs. Simon Roberts (3/26) and Daniel Hockham (1/11) were the other wicket takers. Jason Scarff (22), Jeff Colo (18) and Cam Bullard (15) were the only Noarlunga batsmen to reach double figures. Willunga had 19 overs to face at the end of the day and got to stumps at 3/38 with skipper Luke Harding unbeaten on 23 (58 balls). Noarlunga teenagers Harry Jackson (2/9) and Travis Bronstein (1/0) shared the three wickets to fall.

Goolwa are in an excellent position to win their fifth game of the season after bowling McLaren Districts out for just 80 on day one of their clash at McLaren Vale. At stumps the Magpies are 2/40 in reply. Goolwa skipper Jayden Crees won the toss and asked the Crushers to bat first and the home side were going along okay as they reached 3/59. That was as good as it got for McLaren Districts as they lost their last 7/21 to be bowled out for 80 in the 47th over. Luke Goodieson (20), Justin Twartz (14) and Stephen Nairn (12) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Crees was outstanding again as he snared 5/20 (14), his 10th five-wicket haul for Goolwa. He was well supported by Josh Jones who took 3/24 from a marathon 20 overs. Goolwa had 23 overs to face before stumps and lost Jesse Consalvo (0) and Luke Giddings (14). Jones (18 not out) and Andy Evans (7 not out) will resume at the crease next Saturday. 

The game between Port Elliot and Encounter Bay is evenly poised after Port Elliot posted a competitive total of 187 on day one. The innings was set up by a 93-run stand for the third wicket between Ben Griffiths and Hayden Gordge. Griffiths made his first half century of the season as he top scored with 52 (104 balls), while Gordge finished with a patient 45 (150 balls). Tyson Somerfield added some impetus at the end of the innings with a quickfire 35 from 20 balls (7 x 4’s). The Bays tried eight bowlers with skipper Blake Bailey the standout with 4/52 from 21.5 overs. Cam Lintern (2/17), Zac Thompson (2/31) and Max Longhurst (1/12) were the other wicket takers for Encounter Bay.

The round six game between Willunga and Port Elliot which was postponed on January 8th, was played today at Willunga with the Demons winning comfortably by 52 runs. Willunga batted first and posted a competitive total of 4/158 from their 40 overs. Skipper Luke Harding top scored with 46 (87 balls) and he was well supported by Simon Roberts (39 not out), Scott Brown (23) and Luke Goldner (23). Ben Griffiths (1/16), Ben Maier (1/20), Riley Paull (1/24) and Ben Martin (1/26) were the wicket takers for the Bloods. Port Elliot were never really in the hunt during the run chase as they were bowled out for 106 in the 36th over. Teenager Rhys Livingston made 18 (54 balls) on ‘A’ grade debut and skipper Joel Harris also made 18 (37 balls). Willunga used seven bowlers with Joe Last (2/11), Harding (2/11), Goldner (2/16) and Tye McIvor (2/17) the multiple wicket takers.