Goolwa/Port Elliot won their fourth ‘KI Cup’ in a row following their eight-point win over Yankalilla/Encounter Bay at Penneshaw Oval during round two action of the FPAG ‘A’ Grade Women’s competition in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Saturday. The game was tight throughout with scores level at quarter time, before the Magpies took a slender one-point lead into halftime. Goolwa/Port Elliot kicked three goals to two after the long break to win 6.6 (42) to 5.4 (34). Rosie Shaw kicked two goals for the Magpies, while Erin Smith kicked two goals for the Stingrays. Best players for Goolwa/Port Elliot included Renee Moon, Rosie Shaw, Amber McKinlay, Tessa Grant, and Caitlin Curyer. Yankalilla/Encounter Bay were best served by Georgia Weatherspoon, Chloe Howlett, Tegan Cross, Anabella Walden, and Kate Sanders.McLaren Districts maintained top spot on the ladder with a 79-point win against Victor Harbor at Strathalbyn yesterday. The Eagles led by 35 points at halftime, before kicking six goals to none in the second half to win 12.14 (86) to 1.1 (7). Kiahni Russell (4), Sally Fuller (2), and Kelli Nijhuis (2) were the multiple goal kickers for McLaren Districts, while Meg Bentley was the sole goal kicker for Victor Harbor. Nijhuis, Fuller, Russell, Layla Rogers, Jordan Bartolic and Gwen Humphreys were named best players for McLaren Districts, while Tegan Yeomans, Jasmine Bailey, and Aloura Kirk were among the best players for the ‘Roos.Reigning premier Willunga won their second game of 2023 with a comfortable 105-point victory over Myponga-Sellicks. The Demons led by 31 points at quarter time, 56 points at halftime, and 78 points at the last change, before winning 15.15 (105) to 0.0 (0). Best players for Willunga included Kaiya Ivett, Ada Anninos, Cleo Guilfoyle, Raffael Lombardozzi, and Ruby Thomas. The Mudlarks were best served by Imogen Harney, Charlie Shaw-McMillan, Caroline Scott, Tara Hutchinson, and Molly Agnew.Ladder after Round 2McLaren Districts 4, Willunga 4, Goolwa/Port Elliot 4, Yankalilla/Encounter Bay 0, Victor Harbor 0, Myponga-Sellicks 0.Round 3 FixturesYankalilla/Encounter Bay v Myponga-Sellicks (Friday 14/4/23 - 7.45pm @ Yankalilla)McLaren Districts v Goolwa/Port Elliot (Sunday 16/4/23 - 11.45am @ Victor Harbor)Victor Harbor v Willunga (Sunday 16/4/23 - 3.15pm @ Victor Harbor)Proudly brought to you by FPAG the major sponsor of the Great Southern Women’s Football League (GSWFL).

In their first Grand Final in twelve years and without a couple of their most experienced players Strathalbyn came into the game believing that after fighting through their last two finals games they deserved to be there. They batted first and started well with Kim Cutting getting a three bagger to left field and then being brought home off a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt to Chloe Zakelj for the first out followed by a catch to the pitcher and a K2 to end the innings with one run. Hahndorf had their first turn at bat and had safe hits to Tahlia Larosa and Rylee Zobel with Megan Williams hitting a three bagger which all helped to bring in five runs. Strath were working hard in the field with catcher Cutting making an out to Buttsy Milne at first, a K2 to pitcher Kelly Roe and Britt Jackson fielding and throwing to first for the third out.Strath’s second turn at bat was three up three down with Hahndorf making an out at first, a catch at third and another K2 to Larosa and catcher Georgia King. The second innings for Hahndorf had a lot of safe hits and great base running and included two basers to Williams and Zoe Marrich which all helped to get a string of hits and runners moving around to bring in thirteen runs with Strath never giving up in the field with Roe making an out at first and Jackson making two outs at first into the safe glove of Milne to end the innings.Strath came in to the third dig needing to make runs to keep the game going and while they had some hits and another safe hit to the outfield by Cutting they could not get anyone else on to base or bring Cutting home with Hahndorf making another two outs at first and a K2 to end the innings and with the score difference too large time and game were called with Hahndorf coming out Premiers with an 18 to 1 win. Congratulations to Hahndorf but also to our Strathalbyn team as we have waited a long time to make a Grand Final and now building on our team with bringing younger players through we have more Grand Finals to look forward to.

Reigning premier Willunga got their 2023 campaign off to a winning start with a 59-point victory against Yankalilla/Encounter Bay in round one action of the FPAG ‘A’ Grade Women’s competition in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) at Willunga last Friday night. The Demons got off to a great start to take a commanding 57-point lead at halftime, before winning 10.11 (71) to 2.0 (12). Jessica Harris kicked three goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Ada Anninos, Clare Holmes, and Emma Fitzpatrick kicked two majors each. Cassandra Glover and Kimberley Rowe were the goal kickers for Yankalilla/Encounter Bay. Joining Harris in the best players for Willunga were Cleo Guilfoyle, Emma Leask, Kirtin Remfrey, and Fitzpatrick. Best players for the Stingrays included Chloe Howlett, Glover, Kate Sanders, Rowe, and Tegan Cross.Goolwa/Port Elliot also started 2023 well with a 74-point victory at Goolwa against Victor Harbor last Sunday. The Magpies led by 12 points at quarter time, 33 points at halftime, and 59 points at the last change, before winning 12.11 (83) to 1.3 (9). Rachel Wood kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Tamra Sanders and Rosie Shaw kicked two goals each. Meg Bentley was the sole goal kicker for Victor Harbor. Joining Wood in the best players for Goolwa/Port Elliot were Renee Moon, Rosie Shaw, Tessa Grant, Cassie Burrows, and Laura Jones. Best for Victor Harbor included Jasmine Bailey, Sophie Liddell, and Tegan Yeomans.McLaren Districts defeated new team Myponga-Sellicks by 95 points at Myponga last Friday to get their 2023 season underway. McLaren Districts led by 56 points at half time, before winning 13.18 (96) to 0.1 (1). The Eagles had nine different goal kickers including Sally Fuller (3), Kiahni Russell (2), and Ruby Flanagan-Sjoberg (2). Best players for McLaren Districts were Layla Rogers, Jordan Bartolic, Kelli Nijhuis, Esther Rayner, and Kiera Harvey. Some of the best players for the Mudlarks included Imogen Harney, Mandy Gay, and Tara Jayne Ludlow. Ladder after Round 1McLaren Districts 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Willunga 2, Yankalilla/Encounter Bay 0, Victor Harbor 0, Myponga-Sellicks 0.Round 2 Fixtures (Saturday 1 April/Sunday 2 April)Yankalilla/Encounter Bay v Goolwa/Port Elliot (Saturday - 12.45pm @ Penneshaw)Victor Harbor v McLaren Districts (Sunday - 11.45am @ Strathalbyn)Myponga-Sellicks v Strathalbyn (Sunday - 3.15pm @ Strathalbyn)Proudly brought to you by FPAG the major sponsor of the Great Southern Women’s Football League (GSWFL).

In the Prelim final Strathalbyn were up to bat first and Bears had them three up three down with all three outs at first base. Bears got Rita Meijer on to base and brought her home with some safe hits but Strath held them to just one run with two outs at first and a catch taken at third by Britt Jackson.The second batting dig for Strath produced a couple of safe hits but Bears were able to pick off the lead runners with an out at third, an out at second and an out at first holding them scoreless. Three up three down for Bears in their second turn at bat with another catch to Jackson, an out at first and a K2 to pitcher/catcher Tessa Norris to Kim Cutting.Strath came in for their third dig and started with a triple to Ashlee Peterson followed by a single to the outfield by Cutting which brought Peterson home and then Cutting made it home herself with Bears making two outs at first and an out at second to end the innings. Jane Wreghitt was the only batter to make it home for Bears in the third with Strath’s centre fielder Emily Eglitis taking a catch, an out made at second by Chloe Zakelj and a K2 ending the innings.Three up three down again for Strath in their fourth turn at bat with Bears making two outs at first and a back handed snatch in the air catch by second baser Olivia Rigby sending them from the diamond. Strath held Bears scoreless in the fourth with a K2 and two outs at first leaving a runner stranded on base.Strath were again held scoreless in the fifth with Bears left fielder Bronwyn Pendleton taking a catch, an out at second and an out at first finished the innings. Bears added one run to Meijer who hit a two baser before Strath could make all three outs at first.The sixth dig for Strath was also three up three down with a catch taken at right field by Wreghitt, a catch at third by Kate Adamson and another out at first. Bears added another run to Alix Hitchcock who had a safe hit to the outfield before Strath made two outs at first and then a catch taken at first by Kathryn Milne ended the innings with loaded bases.The seventh innings for Strath produced a two baser to Rebekah Mayes who was brought home by Cutting who in turn was brought home by a safe hit to Jackson adding two runs before two outs at first and an out at home ended the innings. With scores now even Strath had to hold the Bears scoreless to take the game into a tie breaker and they did with two outs at first and another catch taken by Eglitis.In the tie breaker eighth innings Strath started with Norris on base but she was unable to advance with two quick outs before Mayes had another safe hit to the outfield to bring her home, Mayes and Peterson brought home by a double to Cutting who was then also brought home by a double to Milne before Hitchcock took a catch at first for the third out. Strath now had a good lead and had to defend it and did with Bears only managing one run to the runner starting on base with two outs at first and a catch taken by Zakelj to end the innings and the game to take Strathalbyn to their first Grand Final in 12 seasons after coming out on top 8 runs to 5.

Lobethal defeated Langhorne Creek by 75 runs in the ‘A’ grade Grand Final at Langhorne Creek yesterday to claim back-to-back premierships in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). Langhorne Creek went into the decider with an unblemished record for season 2022/23, including a comprehensive victory against Lobethal a fortnight ago in the qualifying final. Yesterday, Lobethal skipper Mitch Weeks won the toss and decided to bat first with Weeks and Sam Martin (16) adding 65 runs for the second wicket before a collapse of 8/69 saw ‘Lobey’ languishing at 9/143. A 10th-wicket stand of 23 between Matt Jenkin (20) and Dave Huxter (6 not out) lifted the reigning premier to a competitive total of 166 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Undoubtedly the star of the innings was Weeks who top scored with a match-winning 80 from 77 balls (7 x 4’s, 1 x 6). To underline Weeks’ dominance, he was the fifth batsman dismissed when the score was 5/114, meaning he had scored an amazing 70% of the runs to that stage of the innings! The ‘Creeks’ used seven bowlers with Matt Tonkin the unlikely destroyer with 3/10 (5). Brodie O’Dea (2/23), Troy Blackwell (2/30), and Daniel Cleggett (2/31) were the other multiple wicket takers for Langhorne Creek.Lobethal took some good momentum into the field after their last wicket partnership, and struck two big blows early, removing O’Dea (2) and Dan Kropp (4) to leave the home side in trouble at 2/7. Ben Warren joined James Dawson to add 22 runs for the third wicket before that man Weeks struck a huge blow as he dismissed the dangerous Warren for 14. Dawson continued on to top score with 38 from 93 balls, but no other ‘Creeks’ batsman could reach double figures, as they were dismissed for just 91 in the 33rd over. The ‘Lobey’ bowlers were brilliant as they conceded just three extras and bowled six maidens. Jenkin backed up his batting with 3/12 (2.4), while man-of-the-match Weeks (2/19), Sam Martin (2/20), Matt Martin (1/6), and Sam Graeber (1/19) were the other wicket takers.It’s been a big 12 months in the ‘Valley of Praise’ with Lobethal winning two ‘A’ grade Cricket premierships, while the Lobethal Football Club broke a long drought to win the Hills Football League premiership in September last year.

Stirling defeated Mount Lofty by four wickets in the ‘A’ grade Grand Final at Heathfield today to claim back-to-back premierships in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) for the first time in 44 years. For the second year in a row, Stirling batsman Harrison Webb hit the winning runs in the decider to send the Eagles’ players and supporters into wild celebrations. Earlier, minor premier Mount Lofty posted a competitive total of 5/174 from their 45 overs with opening batsman Josh Healey top scoring with 65 from 98 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s). He was well supported by Ryan Pistola (31 not out), Adam Carthew (22) and Connor Milde (20). Stirling used six bowlers, with Ned Hopgood the standout taking 3/30 from seven overs. Jack Pick (1/22) and Pete Fryer (1/26) were the other wicket takers for Stirling. The Stirling run chase got off to a fast start with Jack Read (24 from 17) and Daniel Gonzalez (14 from 19) adding 40 runs inside six overs for the first wicket, before both batsmen were dismissed with the score at 2/40. Skipper Pick was joined by Jacob Kemp in what would prove a crucial partnership as this pair added 79 runs for the third wicket before Kemp went for 38 (74 balls). This brought the experienced Fryer to the crease, but he was soon on his way back to the sheds as Connor Milde (2/32) claimed his second wicket of the over with Fryer going without scoring. Mount Lofty were back in the game and when Pick went for 40 (95 balls), it was game on with 34 runs still needed for victory. Enter Webb who hit the ball cleanly, scoring 29 not out (33 balls) with four decisive boundaries. Adam Carthew (2/33) was the other multiple wicket taker for the Redcaps.It was a great season for Stirling with their ‘B’ grade also winning the premiership, and one suspects the celebrations will be long and loud at Stirling Oval.

Great Southern Bowls Association - Women’s Pennant Division 1Grand FinalMcLaren Vale 84 defeated Port Elliot 43

Reigning premier Lobethal defeated Nairne by 50 runs in the preliminary final on Saturday to progress to the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) Grand Final, where they’ll clash with undefeated minor premier Langhorne Creek. On Saturday, Lobethal batted first with Ben Matthews (55) and Sam Graeber (33) putting on 81 runs for the fourth wicket to underpin the Tigers’ innings of 168. Brodie Clarke was the standout bowler for Nairne with figures of 4/22 (9), and he was ably supported by Nick Williams (2/23), Matthew Hein (2/28) and Mitchell Hein (2/40). The Nairne run chase looked in reasonable shape as they reached 2/71 with Luke Timmins leading the way with a top scoring 41. The dismissal of Timmins led to a collapse of 8/47 with the Razorbacks dismissed in the 39th over for 118. Zac Llewellyn (21) was the only other Nairne batsman to pass 20 runs. Lobethal used eight bowlers with Lachlan Elsworthy (3/16), Matt Martin (2/17) and Mitch Weeks (2/20) leading the way. In the other senior grades, Mount Barker won the ‘A2’ competition following a convincing 10-wicket win against Woodside, Lobethal won the ‘B’ grade grand final by four wickets against Langhorne Creek, the ‘C’ grade flag was won by Ashbourne after they accounted for Woodside Blue by seven wickets, while the ‘D’ grade title was taken out by Macclesfield after they defeated Bremer/Callington by eight runs. In the junior grades, Hahndorf had a convincing 10-wicket victory over Nairne in the under 16’s, while Lobethal won the under 14’s after defeating Woodside by seven wickets.‘A’ Grade Grand Final (25/3/23)Langhorne Creek v Lobethal (12.30pm @ Langhorne Creek)

Noarlunga won their third Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ‘A’ grade premiership on Sunday after defeating Port Elliot by 81 runs at Encounter Bay. Noarlunga finished fifth at the end of the minor round and had to win two cut-throat finals to make it through to the decider, while Port Elliot, who finished second on the ladder, defeated Encounter Bay in their semi-final to progress.Noarlunga skipper Jason Scarff won the toss on Saturday and had no hesitation in batting first, but his side were soon in trouble as they slipped to 3/25. Cam Bullard then joined Jason Scarff in a vital 45-run stand for the fourth wicket before Scarff went for 33 (92 balls). Bullard continued on to make his highest score of the season with a match-winning knock of 87 from 149 balls (8 x 4’s). Lower-order cameos from Ben Stewart-Tonkin (24) and Jamie Keers (16) lifted the Shoes to a total of 201 before they were bowled out in the final over. Harrison Grenfell (3/40) and Simon Donaldson (3/41) were the leading wicket takers for Port Elliot. Port Elliot got off to a steady start in the run chase as they reached 0/23 after 13 overs before Jamie Keers was brought on to bowl. Keers struck with his first two balls, removing Hayden Gordge (10) followed by Tyson Somerfield (0). Opening batsman Liam Harris made 20 (68 balls), but wickets continued to tumble as the Bloods slumped to 6/49 just before the tea break. Keers, fresh off a six-wicket haul in the semi-final, was on fire and at one stage had the incredible figures of 5/9 from 11 overs, before eventually finishing with 5/22 (14). Ben Griffiths (27), Scott Hannam (17) and Grenfell (17) added some late-order resistance for Port Elliot, but when Bullard (4/48 from 19.4 overs) took the final wicket in the 55th over, it brought a winning end to Jason Scarff’s nine-year tenure as ‘A’ grade captain at Noarlunga. In the other senior grades, Noarlunga also came from fifth to win the ‘B’ grade grand final by four wickets over Mount Compass at Goolwa, Myponga-Sellicks went back-to-back in the ‘C1’ competition with a comfortable 63-run against Willunga at Noarlunga, while Yankalilla won the ‘C2’ flag with a tight three-wicket win over Encounter Bay at Willunga. In the junior grades, Encounter Bay won the Senior Colts premiership after a convincing 120-run win over Port Elliot, while the Junior Colts was taken out by Encounter Bay/Mount Compass following their three-wicket win against McLaren Districts SKY. 

Great Southern Tennis AssociationGrand FinalGoolwa 4-6-43 defeated Inman Valley 2-3-32

Onkaparinga Tennis AssociationGrand FinalMacclesfield 14-14-102 defeated Woodchester 2-2-48

Great Southern Bowls Association - Open Pennant Division 1Grand FinalMcLaren Vale 68 defeated Clarendon 38

A Grade Women Semi-Final Strathalbyn v Hills Heat Masters In the first semi final for the A grade Women, Strathalbyn took on the Hills Heat Masters who batted first and had three up three down with Strath’s shortstop Chloe Zakelj taking two catches and centre fielder Emily Eglitis also taking a catch to end the innings. Strath came in for their first turn at bat and had safe hits to Kim Cutting, Kathryn Milne, Tessa Norris, Britt Jackson, Eglitis and Rebekah Mayes which brought in four runs with Masters catcher taking a high ball catch, an infield fly and an out at second for the three outs.The second dig for Masters had some safe hits and brought in one run with Strath making an out at first, a catch taken by Rebecca Sims at left field and Mayes taking a catch at right field. Strath’s second batting dig again had safe hits and included a three baser to Zakelj which brought in a further three runs while Masters made two outs at first and another out at second.Masters were up for their third turn at bat and had safe hits to Copperstone and Kel O’Brien with a three baser to Meg Chaplin which added a further two runs with Strath making two outs at first and Milne taking a catch at first to end the innings. Strath were held scoreless in the third with a catch taken by Emilie Noble and two at short stop by Sharon Perkins.The fourth dig for Masters had a couple of safe hits and produced two runs with Strath’s second baser Jarrah Taylor taking a catch and making an out at first and Zakelj taking another catch at short. Strath added another two runs to the tally and included a three base hit to Jackson with Masters left fielder taking a catch and two outs at first to send them from the diamond.Masters had a two base hit to Chaplin who eventually got home with Strath’s fielders making an out at first, Jackson taking a catch at third and Sims taking another catch at left. Strath had a safe hit to Taylor and a two baser to Cutting to bring home two runs with Masters making a tag out at second, a catch at right field by Gab Martin and a K2 to end the innings.The sixth turn at bat for Masters put them back within reach with three runs added and included a two base hit to Copperstone with Strath’s Jackson taking another catch at third, Zakelj making an out at first and then taking another catch. Strath needed to add runs to keep a safe margin and added one to Sims after getting on to base with a safe hit and being brought home by a two baser to Cutting before Masters' Chaplin, now at centre, took a catch, a tag out at home and another out at first ended the innings.Strath needed to protect their three run lead in the seventh and did, only allowing Masters to add one run before an out first, an out at third and Zakelj making a play at home to end the innings and the game. Final scores for the game were Strathalbyn 12 defeated Hills Heat Masters 10 to move on to the Preliminary Final against on Friday 24th March.

Reigning premier Stirling defeated Aldgate by 31 runs in the preliminary final yesterday to progress to the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) Grand Final, where they’ll clash with 2020/21 premier Mount Lofty. These two teams clashed last week in a thrilling qualifying final with Mount Lofty winning off the last ball of the match. Yesterday at Stirling Oval, the home side batted first and were soon under pressure at 2/3 with all-rounder Frank Clements (3/31) picking up both wickets. Jack Read was joined by Jacob Kemp (12) to add 53 runs for the third wicket, before Read went for 41 from 45 balls (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). The loss of Read brought veteran left-hander Pete Fryer to the crease and he played the most valuable innings of the match with an unbeaten 49 from 85 balls (3 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s). The Eagles ended up posting 9/149 from their 45 overs. Other wicket takers for Aldgate included Jake Turnbull (3/22) and Shaun Atkins (2/30). Aldgate’s run chase started in disastrous fashion as they were reduced to 3/3 with Atkins (0), Mitch Thomas (0) and Josh Callaghan (1) all back in the pavilion. A partnership was desperately needed as Turnbull (24) and Clements (37) came together in a rescue mission. This pair put on 67 runs for the third wicket before they were both removed by Stirling skipper Jack Pick (2/27) and the score sat at a precarious 5/90. Will Quigley-Smith (13) was the only other ‘Gaters’ batsman to reach double figures as Aldgate were eventually bowled out for 118 in the 42nd over. Ethan Penck was the star with the ball for Stirling as he took his first five-wicket haul with figures of 5/15 from eight overs. Veteran fast bowler Chris Shaw, a proven finals performer, bowled a brilliant spell of 3/6 from 7.1 overs. In the other senior grades it was Grand Final day, with Stirling winning the A2 premiership after defeating Aldgate by seven runs in a nail-biter at Aldgate Oval, while Basket Range won the A3 title after also defeating Aldgate by 35 runs at the picturesque Basket Range Oval.A1 Grand Final (25/3/23)Mount Lofty v Stirling (12.30pm @ Heathfield Oval)

Great Southern Bowls Association - Women’s Pennant Division 1Preliminary Final resultsVictor Harbor 64 defeated Goolwa 61Grand Final (23/3/23 Encounter Bay @ 10.00am)Port Elliot v Victor Harbor

Minor premier Mount Lofty won a thrilling qualifying final against Stirling at Heathfield on Saturday, and will now host the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) Grand Final on the 25th of March. Needing two runs to win from the final ball of the match, Connor Milde struck a boundary to send the Redcaps straight through to the decider. Milde has history with hitting the winning runs in finals, having also got his previous club Aldgate over the line in the 2018/19 Grand Final off the last ball of the match. Earlier, Stirling batted first and were off to a disastrous start with opening pair Daniel Gonzalez (4) and Jack Read (0) back in the pavilion with the score at 2/9. The Eagles recovered to reach 5/114 with five overs remaining and a score of 150+ was a possibility with a strong finish. However, it wasn’t to be as the Redcaps claimed the last 5/16 as Stirling were bowled out in the 45th over for 130. Harrison Webb was the standout batsman for the Eagles with 46 not out (66 balls), while skipper Jack Pick made 28 (73 balls). Five Mount Lofty bowlers took wickets with Adam Carthew the best with 3/13 (8.3). Milde (3/48) and Peter Giannes (2/17) were the other multiple wicket takers. Mount Lofty also started their innings poorly with the dangerous Josh Healey (0) and veteran opener Nick Justice (8) dismissed and the score at 2/13. Redcaps skipper Jordan Neis Beer (19) was joined by Adam Carthew in a 44-run third wicket stand and Ryan Pistola (13) then put on 30 runs for the fourth wicket with Carthew. With 11 overs remaining, Mount Lofty required 43 runs to win as Milde joined Carthew. They added a further 34 runs before Carthew went for a determined 47 (103 balls). The equation was now down to nine runs required from 16 balls with Tim Noble at the crease with Milde. Milde dug deep to hit the winning runs and finish with a match-winning 36 not out from 40 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Ethan Penck (2/32), Chris Shaw (1/24) and Pick (1/26) were the wicket takers for the Eagles.Aldgate brought an end to Meadows’ season with a comfortable 81-run victory in the elimination final at Meadows. It also brought an end to a remarkable run of Grand Final appearances for the Bulldogs, who had played in the previous 13 deciders (no game in 2019/20 due to COVID). On Saturday, Aldgate batted first and posted a competitive total of 6/189 from their 45 overs. The ‘Gaters’ innings was set up by a decisive 104-run fourth wicket union between skipper Jake Turnbull and Will Quigley-Smith. The pair came together with Aldgate in trouble at 3/51 in the 15th over, and weren’t separated until Turnbull went for 72 (103 balls) in the 40th over. Quigley-Smith finished with 46 not out (87 balls), while opening batsman Shaun Atkins made 34 (41 balls). Meadows opening bowlers Rohan Reid (2/42) and Chad Dawe (2/45) were the multiple wicket takers for Meadows. The Bulldogs were never really in the run chase with Haydn Reid (34 not out) the only batsman to pass 20 with the home side restricted to 9/108 from their 45 overs. Luke Smet (2/17) and Matt Lennon (2/12) were the multiple wicket takers for the ‘Gaters’, while Frank Clements got the key wicket of Rohan Reid on his way to figures of 1/2 from six overs. Preliminary Final (18/3/23)Stirling v Aldgate(12.30pm @ Stirling)

Undefeated minor premier Langhorne Creek stormed into the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) Grand Final following a comprehensive 138-run win against reigning premier Lobethal at Langhorne Creek on Saturday. The ‘Creeks’ batted first with skipper Brodie O’Dea and Daniel Kropp adding 57 runs for the first wicket before Kropp departed for 23 (36 balls). The best partnership of the innings came between O’Dea and Ben Warren, with this pair adding 73 runs for the third wicket with Warren contributing 49 from 52 balls (6 x 4’s). O’Dea continued on to notch his fourth century for Langhorne Creek with 124 from 133 balls (14 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), as the home side finished with an imposing total of 4/239 from their 45 overs. Mitchell Weeks (1/34 from nine overs) and Matt Martin (0/25 from nine overs) were the most economical bowlers for Lobethal. ‘Lobey’ got off to a fair start in the run chase with an opening stand of 28 runs between Lachie Bates and Mitch Weeks, but it was all downhill after that with the northern Tigers losing their last 9/73 to be bowled out for just 101 in the 32nd over. Weeks (38) was the only batsman to pass 15. Kropp (4/24), Jack Humphries (2/19) and Troy Blackwell (2/25) were the multiple wicket takers for the ‘Creeks’. Nairne moved through to the preliminary final after a comfortable 107-run win against Strathalbyn in the elimination final at Nairne. The Razorbacks will now travel to Lobethal for a spot in the decider. Nairne batted first on Saturday and were in early trouble at 3/29, before veteran Luke Timmins (42) and youngster Zac Llewellyn (48) joined forces for a game-changing 80-run stand for the fourth wicket. This valuable partnership just laid the platform for the ‘Shane Kenney Show’. The big hitting middle order batsman came in during the 34th over and completely took over, smashing an amazing 10 sixes and four boundaries on his way to 99 not out from just 40 balls! Nairne finished on 6/239 from their 45 overs. Matthew Abbott (2/36) and Kane Gaiter (2/45) were the multiple wicket takers for Strathalbyn, while Matt Harris bowled an economical spell of 1/14 (9). ‘Strath’ got themselves into a decent position at 3/100 with Jake Beerenfels (14) putting on 47 for the fourth wicket with opening batsman Luke Cousins. Cousins dominated the Stallions’ innings with 84 from 94 balls (10 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), but he received little support as his side lost their last 5/0 from 19 balls to be dismissed for 132. Nick Williams claimed his first five-wicket haul for the Razorbacks as he snared 5/16 (7). Kenney (1/0) completed a great day for himself and Nairne as he claimed the final wicket to see the Razorbacks move on to next week. Preliminary Final (18/3/23)Lobethal v Nairne (12.30pm @ Lobethal)

Port Elliot will take on Noarlunga in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ‘A’ grade Grand Final at Encounter Bay this weekend. It will be the first time the two clubs have played off in a GSCA decider. Port Elliot qualified after defeating Encounter Bay by 18 runs at Burgess Oval yesterday, while Noarlunga defeated minor premier Goolwa by 72 runs at Encounter Bay.In the first semi-final, Noarlunga batted first and posted a competitive total of 147 before being bowled out in the 70th over. Most of the Noarlunga top order got a start with Jason Scarff (32), Travis Bronstein (23), Rohan Garrard (23), and Matthew Spaan (20) the leading run scorers. Jayden Crees (4/47), Josh Andrewartha (2/19), Shaun Burger (1/11), and Andy Evans (1/21) were the wicket takers for the Magpies. Noarlunga got off to a great start on day two as they reduced Goolwa to 5/27, with Josh Jones (20) the only batsman in the top-five to reach double figures. Fred Nissen (16), Burger (12 not out), Vic Robertson (10) and Dean Vickery (10) battled hard, but ultimately Goolwa were bowled out for just 75 in the 52nd over. Jamie Keers was the star with the ball for the Shoes with figures of 6/30 from 19.1 overs. It was Keers’ fourth five-wicket haul in ‘A’ grade ranks for Noarlunga. Harry Jackson (2/13), Jason Scarff (1/9) and Ben Stewart-Tonkin (1/23) were the other wicket takers for Noarlunga. Scarff was particularly miserly with 15 maidens in his 20 overs. In the second semi-final, Port Elliot won the toss and decided to bat first at Burgess Oval. Hayden Gordge (37) and Liam Harris (30) batted patiently to add 59 runs for the first wicket in 33 overs. Skipper Joel Harris (27) then put on 38 for the fifth wicket with Ben Griffiths as the Bloods finished with 6/180. Griffiths went on to top score with 44 not out from 53 balls. His innings included seven boundaries, with four coming in consecutive deliveries in the penultimate over of the innings. Dillon Burns (2/23) and Chris Butler (2/46) were the multiple wicket takers for Encounter Bay. The Bays got off to a disastrous start in their run chase yesterday with both openers dismissed without scoring and the score sitting at 2/10. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, but with the Bays’ gun left-hander Sam Hoffmann still at the crease, the game was still up for grabs. Hoffmann dominated the innings with a top-scoring 78 from 146 balls (12 x 4’s, 1 x 6) before he was run-out with the score on 8/129. This soon became 9/131 and it appeared all over before Kieran Garrett joined Caleb Polson for a last wicket stand. They gave Port Elliot a bit of a scare with a 31-run partnership before Garrett was dismissed for 11 (28 balls). Polson battled gamely to finish with 26 not out (67 balls) as Encounter Bay were bowled out for 162 in the 66th over. Chris O’Connor (3/17) and Simon Donaldson (3/65) were the multiple wicket takers for Port Elliot. Grand Final (18/3/23 & 19/3/23)Port Elliot v Noarlunga (Encounter Bay)

Onkaparinga Tennis AssociationPreliminary Final resultWoodchester 12-12-98 defeated John Wesley 4-4-62Grand Final (18/3/23 - 1.00pm @ Strathalbyn)Macclesfield v Woodchester