Reigning premier McLaren Districts got their premiership defence off to the perfect start with a tough 19-point win at Mount Compass on Saturday, during round one action in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL). The Eagles skipped out to a commanding 29-point lead at halftime, and it looked like a big win was on the cards. To Mount Compass’ credit, they outscored the reigning premiers in the second half, kicking five goals to three, but it wasn’t enough as the visitors triumphed 10.9 (69) to 7.8 (50). Lachlan Camm, Max Gill, and Kiefver Zohar all kicked two goals for McLaren Districts. Ziggy Vitkunas was the Bulldogs leading goal kicker with three goals. Best players for the reigning premier were Sam Lawrie, Kaine Hopkins, Ashley Goodieson, Gill, and Todd McKay. Ziggy Vitkunas was named best for Mount Compass and he was well supported by Nathan Hicks, Adam Hunter, Tom Pinyon, and Jordan Hooper.Langhorne Creek started the 2023 season well with a 37-point win over Encounter Bay on Saturday. The game was tight in the first half, with the Hawks leading by a solitary point at halftime. The ‘Creeks’ flexed their muscles in the second half, as they kicked 11 goals to five, to win 17.7 (109) to 11.6 (72). Mitch Cleggett and Caleb Howell kicked four goals each for the Hawks, while Tyson Neale slotted three majors for the Bays. Best players for Langhorne Creek included Darcy Clifford, Tom Derham, Howell, Jarrod Kellock, and Malakai Kartinyeri. Best for Encounter Bay were Tyler Baldock, Marcus Lippett, Tom Pearsons, Hamish Tonkin, and Fraser Tonkin. Goolwa/Port Elliot defeated Yankalilla by 14 points in their opening round clash at Goolwa. Yankalilla led by three points at halftime, before the Magpies kicked five goals to two in the second half to win 7.10 (52) to 4.14 (38). Finn Hayden and Tom Fergusson were the only multiple goal kickers with two goals each for Goolwa/Port Elliot. Ryan Carnelly, James Fry, Jacob Hughes, Brett Heintze, and Jye Bottroff were best for the Magpies. For Yankalilla, Joel Kay, Luke Bartlett, Scott Biddle, Brad Fitzgerald, and Sam Crawford were named as their best players.Strathalbyn had a tough 10-point win against Myponga-Sellicks to open the 2023 season at Myponga. The Roosters led at every change to win 9.9 (63) to 7.11 (53). Riley Clamp and Lachlan Fox kicked two goals each for ‘Strath’, while Jayden Scott led the way for the Mudlarks with three goals. Best players for Strathalbyn included Adam Clark, Brock Keding, Jake Stafford, Richard O’Grady, and Cooper Machin. Myponga-Sellicks were best served by Harrison Cock, Jake Spinks, Scott, Kain Spinks, and Ben Kennedy. 2022 runner-up Willunga defeated Victor Harbor by 35 points under lights at Victor on Saturday night. The home side burst out of the blocks in the first term to lead by 21 points at quarter time, but from then on it was all Willunga. The Demons kicked 12 goals to four over the last three quarters to win 13.13 (91) to 8.8 (56). Ryan Sherry was the dominant forward on the ground with six goals for the Demons, while Sean Beath kicked three. Sam Basham (3) and Harry Vincent (2) were the multiple goal kickers for the ‘Roos. Best players for Willunga were Brett Miegel, Daniel Lee, Sherry, Danny Juckers, and Tom Messenger. Jesse McKinnon, Michael Ross, Ryan Fletcher, Rhys Bartram, and Zac Dowling were best for Victor Harbor. Ladder after Round 1Willunga 2, Langhorne Creek 2, McLaren Districts 2, Goolwa/Port Elliot 2, Strathalbyn 2, Myponga-Sellicks 0, Yankalilla 0, Mount Compass 0, Encounter Bay 0, Victor Harbor 0. Round 2 FixturesEncounter Bay v Victor HarborMcLaren Districts v WillungaMount Compass v Goolwa/Port ElliotYankalilla v Myponga-SellicksStrathalbyn v Langhorne Creek (Tuesday 25/4 @ 6.30pm)

Goolwa/Port Elliot remain undefeated following their 30-point win over McLaren Districts at Victor Harbor during round three action of the FPAG ‘A’ Grade Women’s competition in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) on Sunday. McLaren Districts led by a point at quarter time, but the Magpies kicked seven goals to three for the rest of the game to win 8.8 (56) to 4.2 (26). Indiana Quaremba (3), Megan Hoad (2), and Indi Miller (2) were the multiple goal kickers for Goolwa/Port Elliot. Best players for the Magpies were Miller, Quaremba, Tessa Grant, Bridget Lindsay, and Rosie Shaw. Best for McLaren Districts included Emily Rowe, Donna Boal, Layla Rogers, India Roberts, and Kelli Nijhuis.Yankalilla/Encounter Bay Stingrays won their first game with a big 112-point win against Myponga-Sellicks at Yankalilla. The Stingrays led by 47 points at quarter time, 66 points at half time, and 93 points at the last change, before winning 16.16 (112) to 0.0 (0). Imogen Loftes kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Stingrays, while Dakota Oniszk kicked three majors. Joining Loftes in the best players for Yankalilla/Encounter Bay were Georgia Weatherspoon, Jemma Ellis, Cassandra Glover, and Kimberly Robinson. Myponga-Sellicks’ best included Charlie Shaw-McMillan, Kailey Webb, and Carla Humphrys.Reigning premier Willunga moved to the top of the ladder with a 56-point win against Victor Harbor on Sunday at Victor. The Demons led by 25 points at halftime, before kicking a further six goals to one in the second half to win 10.11 (71) to 2.3 (15). Jessica Harris and Emily Steele kicked three goals each for Willunga, while Meg Bentley and Stacie Findlow kicked the goals for Victor Harbor. Katrice Turner, Shannen Hiern, Harris, Kiara Upitis, and Tania Guilfoyle were named best for Willunga, while Aloura Kirk, Jasmine Bailey, Rebecca Baga, Findlow, and Bentley were best for Victor Harbor. Ladder after Round 3Willunga 6, Goolwa/Port Elliot 6, McLaren Districts 4, Yankalilla/Encounter Bay 2, Victor Harbor 0, Myponga-Sellicks 0.Round 4 FixturesMyponga-Sellicks v Goolwa/Port Elliot (Friday 21/4/23 - 7.45pm @ Myponga)Yankalilla/Encounter Bay v Victor Harbor (Friday 21/4/23 - 7.45pm @ Encounter Bay)McLaren Districts v Willunga (Saturday 22/4/23 - 5.00pm @ McLaren Vale)Proudly brought to you by FPAG the major sponsor of the Great Southern Women’s Football League (GSWFL).

Victor Harbor turned the tables on reigning premier Willunga with a 60-41 win in their Grand Final rematch, to open the Great Southern Netball Association (GSNA) season on Saturday. In other games, Myponga defeated Strathalbyn 43-22, McLaren Vale travelled to Mount Compass and came away with a comfortable 57-30 victory, while Yankalilla had a good 51-30 win at Goolwa. Langhorne Creek had the bye. Ladder after Round 1Myponga 2, McLaren Vale 2, Yankalilla 2, Victor Harbor 2, Willunga 0, Goolwa 0, Mount Compass 0, Strathalbyn 0, Langhorne Creek 0.Round 2 FixturesMcLaren Vale v WillungaMount Compass v GoolwaYankalilla v MypongaStrathalbyn v Langhorne Creek (Tuesday 25/4 @ 12.30pm)Victor Harbor has the bye

Flagstaff Hill got their season off to the perfect start with a 22-point win against reigning premier Reynella at Flagstaff Hill on Saturday, as the Southern Football League (SFL) season got underway. The Falcons got off to a good start as they took a 19-point lead at half time. Each side kicked four goals in the second half, before ‘Flaggies’ won 11.15 (81) to 9.5 (59). Sam Smith (3) and Cameron Blake (2) were the multiple goal kickers for the Falcons, while Marc Borholm kicked four goals for Reynella. Best players for the Falcons were Ryan Mountford, Blake Aldridge, Tim Meinecke, Michael Shearer, and Kobe Cavouras. Reynella were best served by Borholm, Sam Whitbread, Talon Copley, Jason Farrier, and Daniel Whitaker.Noarlunga won a tight round one game against 2022 runner-up Morphett Vale at Old Noarlunga by seven points. In a low-scoring affair, the Shoes prevailed 8.8 (56) to 6.13 (49). Michael Balas kicked two goals for Noarlunga, while Blake Carter (3) and Dylan Williams (2) were the multiple goal kickers for the Emus. Bailey Hann, Sam Beard, Jackson Lock, Jaidan Kappler, and Balas were the best players for the Shoes, while for Morphett Vale, Bodie Sowter, Leroy Marsh, Harry Clarkson, Michael Smith, and Khori Mills-Richardson were their best players. The ‘Andrew Jarman era’ at Port Noarlunga started with the Cockle Divers recording a comfortable 40-point win against Aldinga on Saturday night at ‘Porties’. Port Noarlunga led by 21 points at half time, before kicking a further six goals to three in the second half to win 10.7 (67) to 4.3 (27). Willaston recruit Oliver Petrohilos was a star up forward with five goals for Port Noarlunga. Anthony Dempsey, Tom Dix, Tom Redden, Petrohilos, and James Ledgard were named in the best players for Port Noarlunga. Best players for Aldinga included Sam Bentley, Scott O’Dea, and Tom Pilmore.Happy Valley got their 2023 season off to a good start with a 28-point win at Christies Beach on Saturday. The game was tight for the first three quarters with Happy Valley leading by 13 points at the last change, before kicking six goals to three in the final term to win 14.10 (94) to 9.12 (66). Josh Dwyer-Sterzl and Corey Grocock each kicked four goals for the Vikings, while Josh de Roode and Nathan Stock both kicked two majors for the Saints. Best players for the Vikings included Matthew Lillis, Grocock, Shane Stagg, Dwayne Ruddock, and Matthew Coulthard. Christies Beach was best served by Bradley Truscott, Jordan Hunnable-Ford, Rhys Mundy, de Roode, and Kyle Daris. Cove had the bye.Ladder after Round 1Port Noarlunga 2, Happy Valley 2, Flagstaff Hill 2, Noarlunga 2, Morphett Vale 0, Reynella 0, Christies Beach 0, Aldinga 0, Cove 0.Round 2 FixturesCove v Flagstaff HillReynella v Morphett ValeChristies Beach v NoarlungaAldinga v Happy ValleyPort Noarlunga has the bye

The Southern Football League (SFL) season is back tomorrow (Saturday 15 April), with the Reynella Wineflies looking for back-to-back ‘A’ grade premierships after winning their first flag since 2015 in 2022. Once again the SFL will feature 9 clubs playing an 18-round season. Each club plays 16 games with two byes. The top-five finals series will commence on Saturday 2 September with the Grand Final to be played on Saturday 23 September.Round 1 fixtures (home team named first)Noarlunga v Morphett Vale (2.30pm)Flagstaff Hill v Reynella (2.30pm)Christies Beach v Happy Valley (2.30pm)Port Noarlunga v Aldinga (7.00pm)Cove has the bye

The Great Southern Football League (GSFL) season gets underway tomorrow (Saturday 15 April), with the newly named McLaren Districts looking for back-to-back ‘A’ grade premierships after an undefeated 2022 season. Once again the GSFL will feature 10 clubs playing an 18-round season. The top-five finals series will commence on Saturday 2 September with the Grand Final to be played on Saturday 23 September.Round 1 fixtures (home team named first)Goolwa/Port Elliot v Yankalilla (2.30pm)Langhorne Creek v Encounter Bay (2.30pm)Mount Compass v McLaren Districts (2.30pm)Myponga-Sellicks v Strathalbyn (2.30pm)Victor Harbor v Willunga (6.00pm)

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.