Willunga are through to the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ‘A’ grade Grand Final following their comfortable seven-wicket win against Noarlunga at Port Elliot yesterday. It’s the fifth season in a row that Willunga have qualified for the decider. Noarlunga won the toss on Saturday and decided to bat first and they got themselves into a good position at 1/56 with skipper Jason Scarff (27) and Ian Inwood (24) adding 47 runs for the second wicket. From that moment on it was all Willunga as they claimed the last nine Noarlunga wickets for 67 runs to see the Shoes bowled out in the 59th over for 123. Leg-spinner Simon Roberts did most of the damage as he took the last six wickets on his way to figures of 6/31 (17.2). He was well supported by Luke Goldner (2/20), Luke Harding (1/13) and Sean McIvor (1/30). Matthew Spaan top scored for Noarlunga with a fighting knock of 28 not out. Willunga negotiated the 11 overs before stumps to finish at 0/17 with Harding and Dane McPhail at the crease. The Shoes removed Harding (18) early on day two, but Rhys Allard and McPhail dug in to put on 57 for the second wicket before McPhail went for a patient 21 (111 balls). Allard continued on to finish with 70 not out (96 balls), his highest score of the season, as the reigning premier got the runs three wickets down. Harry Jackson (1/12), Travis Bronstein (1/20) and Matty Ray (1/27) were the wicket takers for Noarlunga.

Goolwa made their way through to the Preliminary Final as they eliminated Encounter Bay with a convincing seven-wicket victory on the first day of their clash at Old Noarlunga Oval. Encounter Bay won the toss but that was as good as it got for them as they were rolled for just 51. Sam Hoffmann (12) was the only batsman to reach double figures on a disappointing day for the Bays. The Goolwa bowlers were relentless with Josh Jones (3/15), Jayden Crees (3/18), James Lawrence (2/3) and Andy Evans (2/9) sharing the 10 wickets and bowling an amazing 26 maidens in 46 overs. There were 23 overs left on day one and the Magpies were keen to get the job done and have Sunday off, as they knocked off the runs with an over to spare. Evans completed a good day for him personally as he top scored with 19 not out. Cam Lintern (2/17) and Blake Bailey (1/20) were the wicket takers for Encounter Bay. 

Preliminary Final (12th & 13th March)

Noarlunga v Goolwa (Port Elliot)