Willunga remained undefeated after four rounds of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) season after a tough four-wicket win against a gritty Port Elliot outfit on Saturday. Willunga started the day at 2/20 in reply to Port Elliot’s day one total of 114 and the reigning premiers were soon in trouble with Simon Donaldson on fire for the Bloods. Donaldson removed Rhys Allard (0), Scott Brown (8) and Luke Goldner (6) to have Willunga reeling at 5/47. Joel Docking was playing a lone hand at the top of the order as Angus Williamson joined him to add 26 runs for the sixth wicket before Docking was bowled by Donaldson for a top-scoring 34. With the score at 6/73, the Demons were still 42 runs from victory when Sam Tregenza, on debut for Willunga, joined Williamson in a match-winning stand worth 47 runs for the seventh wicket. Williamson finished with 29 not out while Tregenza made 24 not out. Donaldson finished with the excellent figures of 4/25 from 13 probing overs.

Goolwa had a convincing seven-wicket victory over McLaren Districts and almost turned their first innings victory into outright points as the Crushers clung on for a draw at 6/66 in their second innings. The Magpies resumed on day two at 3/35 in pursuit of McLaren’s first innings total of just 95. Jesse Le Ray (47) and Fred Nissen (32) made sure of the points with a 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket which steered Goolwa to victory. Jesse Consalvo added 29 to continue his good season (143 runs @ 71.50) as the Magpies declared at 8/201, an overall lead of 106 runs with 34 overs remaining for the Crushers to survive. Dylan Howie (2/18) and David Smith (2/46) were the multiple wicket takers for McLaren Districts. It looked unlikely that McLaren would survive as they crashed to 5/31 before Lachlan Cooper (30 not out) joined a patient Zac Hodges (12) to put on 28 runs for the sixth wicket to see their side to safety. Andy Evans took 2/13 for Goolwa in the second innings.

Encounter Bay moved up to third spot on the GSCA ladder following a 39-run win over Noarlunga at Mount Compass Oval. The Bays resumed their first innings at 3/93 and faced a further 17 overs to complete their innings after the first day was cut short by rain. Sam Hoffmann and Cam Lintern had come together on day one with the score at 3/11 and their partnership proved to be a match winner as they eventually added 109 runs before Hoffmann was dismissed for 57. Jacob Grenfell (26 retired hurt) and Ambrose Willoughby (16 not out) made handy contributions but Lintern was the star of the show as he smashed his way to 94 not out as Encounter Bay finished on 4/208 from their 53 overs. Matthew Ray (2/50) was the only multiple wicket taker for Noarlunga. The Shoes were under early pressure as they were reduced to 4/32 in the 10th over with opening bowlers Shane Hastings (4/41) and Blake Bailey (3/38) doing the damage. David Scarff was fighting hard and he was joined by Anthony Tucker and this pair slowly resurrected the Noarlunga innings with a 75-run stand for the fifth wicket before Tucker was dismissed for 24. Scarff fell soon after for 64, his second half century of the season, as Noarlunga slipped to 6/113. Debutant David Ling batted well to give the Shoes a slight chance of victory by making 31 not out, but in the end Noarlunga were bowled out for 169 in the 48th over. Hoffmann joined Hastings and Bailey on the wicket takers list as he took 3/45 from 14 overs.

Ladder (after round 4)

Willunga 24, Goolwa 15, Encounter Bay 15, Noarlunga 12, Port Elliot 3, McLaren Districts 3.

Round 5 fixtures (one-day games/home team named first)

Port Elliot v Encounter Bay

Goolwa v Noarlunga

McLaren Districts v Willunga