Hills Softball Association ‘A’ Grade Women (Strathalbyn v Hills Heat Masters)On one of the few balmy night games we’ve had this season, the Masters came up to bat first and had safe hits to Deb Hopgood, Emilie Noble and Sharon Perkins with Strathalbyn left fielder Tash Mayes taking a running catch, Kelly Roe at first base also taking a great catch in foul territory, and the final out of the innings saw pitcher Tess Norris fielding and choosing to throw to catcher Kim Cutting at home to hold them to one run. Strath came in for their first batting dig after the break and produced safe hits to Norris and Kathryn Milne with a safe bunt by Emily Eglitis moving runners around to help bring in two runs with Masters short stop Hantie Pretorius fielding well for two outs at first and a K2 by pitcher/catcher combination Kel O’Brien to Hopgood ended the innings.Masters were up to bat for the second time but again Mayes took a running catch, an out at first made by third baser Tiahna Mayes, and a catch taken by Milne sent them from the diamond three up/three down and scoreless. Strath were held scoreless in their second batting dig as well, even with safe hits to Roe, Rebecca Sims and Cutting with Masters making another K2, Cutting being hit on the foot by a Norris hit and an out made at second by Pretorius.The third batting dig for the Masters was also three up/three down with another out at first made by Tiahna Mayes, the third catch for the night to Tash Mayes and a catch taken by shortstop Matilda Lovelock. Strath batted better this innings with a safe hit to Milne, a two base hit to Mayes and great running brought them both home off a hit to Roe before another K2, a catch by O’Brien and a tag out at second ended the innings.After getting a walk, Kate Adamson was pushed around the bases with safe hits from Kim Copperstone and Jane Wreghitt for the Masters and eventually she got home from a great hit by Pretorius which was caught at centrefield by Emily Eglitis with two K2’s to Norris finishing the innings. Even with safe hits to Norris, Tiahna and Lovelock and walks to Cutting, Milne and Tash, Cutting was the only Strath batter to make it home in the fourth innings with an out at first and great choices by Pretorius to field and pick off the lead runners ending the innings and the game with Strathalbyn winning 5-2.Strathalbyn’s ‘C’ grade team started 2022 with a double-header on Saturday with the first game played against Pirates (B). The Panthers battled hard but eventually went down 10-5. The second match of the double-header was played against Pirates (C) and it went right down to the wire before ending in a 6-6 draw. 

Woodside moved up to second spot on the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) ladder following their 33-run win at home against Bremer/Callington. The Warriors batted first and posted a competitive total of 7/192 from their 45 overs. Brad Collins (45), Will Dunstall (36) and Dave Wecombe (34) were the main contributors for the home side. Graydon Brand (2/38) and Amit Maina (2/40) were the leading wicket takers for the Cobras. The visitors were in all sorts of trouble in the run chase as they slipped to a precarious 5/53 with opening bowler Charlie McDonough doing most of the damage with his spell of 3/30 (9). Cobras Skipper Jai McMurtrie was holding the innings together and he received solid support from Dion Rehn (15) and Johnny Fitzgerald (20) but it wasn’t enough as they were bowled out in the 43rd over for 159. McMurtrie finished with 59 not out (86 balls). Steve Ball (2/20) and Jeremy Druwitt (2/39) were the other multiple wicket takers for Woodside. Strathalbyn kept pace with the top-four after their six-wicket win at Macclesfield on Saturday. ‘Maccy’ batted first but were under early pressure as they fell to 5/45. Joe Lions (37) and Josh Lewis-Burns (35) got the innings back on track with a 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Once this pair was split however, the Redbacks lost their last 5/22 to be bundled out for 123 in the 44th over. Matt Abbott (3/23), Ben Cousins (3/32) and Tim Dellatorre (2/11) were the chief destroyers for the Stallions. Macclesfield got off to a good start with the ball as ‘Strath’ slipped to 4/50 and an upset was a distinct possibility. Cousins Mark and Matt Abbott were having none of it as they got together to add an unbroken 74 runs for the fifth wicket to see their side home in the 36th over. Mark finished on 46 not out (87 balls) while Matt completed a fine all-round game with 35 not out (50 balls). Connor Moore bowled a fine opening spell for the Redbacks to capture 2/16 from nine overs. Langhorne Creek won their second game in a row to keep themselves in the hunt for the double chance after a comfortable 66-run win at Hahndorf. The Tigers had plenty of contributors with Shannon Jones (59), Joel Cross (58 not out), Dan Kropp (47) and James Dawson (25) leading the ‘Creeks’ to a healthy total of 4/227 from their 45 overs. Henry Hassold (1/30), Lachlan Huxtable (1/35) and Ryan Trafford-Walker (1/48) were the wicket takers for the Magpies. Greg Hassold and Huxtable got Hahndorf off to a good start with a 51-run opening stand before Huxtable was dismissed for 22 (40 balls). Hassold went on to top score with 57 from 75 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6) but he didn’t get much help, apart from Harry Knappstein who scored 21 from 32 balls, from the rest of the batting order as Hahndorf were bowled out for 161 in the 42nd over. Four Langhorne Creek bowlers took wickets with skipper Dan Cleggett the standout with 4/32 from his nine overs. Nairne got back on the winners list with a low-scoring 26-run win at Lobethal in the Grand Final rematch from last season. Lobethal won the toss and sent Nairne into bat and it was tough going with a slow outfield for the Razorbacks as they struggled their way to 114 before being bowled out in the 44th over. Robert Crook (22) was the only Nairne batsman to reach 20 as the Lobethal bowlers were dominant. Matt Martin (2/7), Dave Huxter (2/8), Lachlan Elsworthy (2/17) and James Elliott (2/25) were the multiple wicket takers for the Tigers. Lobethal started disastrously in their run chase as they were soon 4/17 with the Razorbacks opening bowlers Brodie Clarke (3/17) and Mitch Hein (3/18) doing the damage. Lachlan Bates (26) was the only Tigers batsman to reach 20 as the home side was rolled for just 88 in the 39th over. Ladder (after round 13)Nairne 44, Woodside 32, Langhorne Creek 32, Lobethal 32, Strathalbyn 28, Hahndorf 16, Bremer/Callington 12, Macclesfield 12.Round 14 fixture (home team named first)Hahndorf v WoodsideMacclesfield v Langhorne CreekLobethal v StrathalbynBremer/Callington v Nairne

Noarlunga won their fifth game in a row to maintain top spot on the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) ladder after defeating Port Elliot by 38 runs at Old Noarlunga on Saturday. The Shoes batted first and were in early trouble at 3/32 before skipper Jason Scarff was joined by Matthew Spaan in a partnership worth 46 runs for the fourth wicket. Scarff went on to top score with 50 from 72 balls (6 x 4’s). Spaan was involved in another handy partnership of 44 runs for the sixth wicket with Jeff Colo (24) before he was dismissed for 40 (86 balls). Colo contributed a handy 24 (36 balls) as Noarlunga completed their 40 overs on 7/153. Harry Grenfell (2/29) and Joel Harris (2/30) were the multiple wicket takers for Port Elliot. The visitors' run chase didn’t start well with Noarlunga opening bowlers Matty Ray (1/11) and Scarff (1/10) getting an early breakthrough each to see the Bloods in strife at 2/10. Hayden Gordge and the returning Ben Griffiths (20) steadied the innings with a 54-run stand for the third wicket before Gordge went for 41 from 85 balls (3 x 4’s). The breaking of the Gordge/Griffiths partnership was the beginning of the end for Port Elliot with their last eight wickets falling for just 51 runs as they were bowled out in the 40th over for 115. Off-spinner Anthony Burgess took 3/45 for the Shoes, but the star of the show was teenager Travis Bronstein who picked up his maiden five-wicket haul with the excellent figures of 5/11 from 5.2 overs. Encounter Bay consolidated their spot in the top-four with a grinding three-wicket victory against McLaren Districts at McLaren Vale on Saturday. The home side batted first and struggled their way to reach 92 before being bowled out in the 32nd over. Luke Goodieson (16), Lachlan Cooper (16), Bodie Wilson (14) and Ben Wilcox (14) were the only Crushers batsmen to reach double figures. Teenager Zac Thompson (3/10) picked up his best ‘A’ grade figures for Encounter Bay and he was well supported by Cam Lintern (2/3) and Kieran Garrett (2/12). After losing opener David Marks early, the Bays steadied to reach 1/32 with Dillon Burns and Sam Hoffmann adding 31 runs for the second wicket. Hoffmann was playing a lone hand for the Bays and as regular wickets fell around him, the visitors were in strife at 6/61, still 32 runs from victory. Hoffmann needed an ally and he got one in Caleb Polson (12 not out) with this pair adding 27 runs for the seventh wicket before Hoffmann was dismissed for 66 with just five runs required for victory. The Bays eventually got over the line after 35 overs with just three wickets in hand. It was a spirited effort by the Crushers in the field as their attack was led by Jacob Banks who finished with 2/20 (8). Veteran Bodie Wilson bowled a miserly spell of 1/7 (8), with Will Dyer (1/12) and Stephen Nairn (1/25) the other wicket takers. Reigning premier Willunga notched their sixth win of the season with a 24-run win at Goolwa. The home side won the toss and sent Willunga in and the move paid early dividends with opening batsman Paul Roberts dismissed early on to leave the Demons at 1/4. Skipper Luke Harding (19) and Dane McPhail (15) added 29 runs for the second wicket but at 4/56, Goolwa were right in the game. Simon Roberts (18) joined Luke Goldner in a crucial partnership worth 47 runs for the fifth wicket as Willunga posted 6/134 from their 40 overs. Goldner went on to top score with 55 not out. Goolwa’s run chase started in disastrous fashion as they were soon 3/7 thanks to an excellent opening spell from Joe Last who took the first three wickets on his way to figures of 4/15 from eight overs. Fred Nissen (18) added some resistance but regular wickets continued to fall as the Magpies slumped to 8/61. Skipper Jayden Crees (19) and James Lawrence (28 not out) added some respectability to the scoreboard with a 36-run alliance for the ninth wicket before the home side was bowled out for 110 in the 39th over. Luke Goldner completed an excellent all-round game for the Demons as he snared 3/12 from his eight over spell. Round 9 fixtures (home team named first/two-day games)Goolwa v Port ElliotEncounter Bay v NoarlungaWillunga v McLaren DistrictsLadder (after round 8)Noarlunga 39, Willunga 36, Encounter Bay 28, Goolwa 21, Port Elliot 18, McLaren Districts 0.

Great Southern Tennis AssociationRound 12 resultsGoolwa 6-8-54 defeated Port Elliot 0-0-14Inman Valley 6-8-54 defeated Back Valley 0-0-17Myponga Sellicks 4-6-50 defeated Victor Harbor 2-2-21Ladder (after round 12)Inman Valley 64, Goolwa 64, Myponga Sellicks 55, Port Elliot 42, Back Valley 31, Victor Harbor 16.Round 13 Fixtures (home team named first)Myponga Sellicks v GoolwaInman Valley v Port ElliotVictor Harbor v Back Valley

Great Southern Bowls Association - Open Pennant Division 1Round 14 resultsWillunga 77 defeated Goolwa White 53Port Elliot 62 defeated Goolwa Black 47Victor Harbor 63 defeated Yankalilla 52Encounter Bay 77 defeated Myponga 53Strathalbyn 70 defeated McLaren Vale 62Ladder (after round 14)Willunga 125, McLaren Vale 117, Encounter Bay 97, Victor Harbor 87, Goolwa White 84, Goolwa Black 83, Strathalbyn 76, Port Elliot 74, Myponga 50, Yankalilla 47.Round 15 fixtures (home team named first)Goolwa Black v YankalillaMyponga v WillungaEncounter Bay v Victor HarborGoolwa White v StrathalbynMcLaren Vale v Port Elliot

Bridgewater won their first game of the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) season following their upset 58-run win at Uraidla during round 13 action yesterday. The Raiders batted first and got off to an excellent start through opening pair Luke Hoyle and Chris Murray. They added 98 runs for the first wicket before Hoyle was dismissed for 59, his third half century of the season. Murray was next to go for 27 and from then on it was all Uraidla as they took the last 10 Bridgewater wickets for just 56 runs. The Raiders were bowled out for 154 in the 40th over with extras (25) the third highest score. Thomas Bassett (3/28), Mitch Makings (3/38) and Israel Symington (2/24) were the pick of the Uraidla bowlers. The home side were in all sorts of trouble early in their innings as they slumped to 3/7 with Caleb Risson (2/17) and Rhys Jordan (1/15) doing the early damage. Alex Heptinstall (30) and Michael Parker (13) started a rescue mission with a 41-run fourth wicket stand, and at 4/72 the Demons were back in the game. Anthony Jennings (1/10) got the big wicket of Heptinstall before young leg-spinner Finn Sullivan-Llewellyn and Hoyle combined to take the last six wickets for just 24 runs to see Uraidla bowled out for 96 in the 34th over. Hoyle finished with 2/19 (5), while Sullivan-Llewellyn snared 4/18 (7.1), his best figures in ‘A’ grade ranks. Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) pulled off one of the upsets of the season, and in the process won their fourth game of the campaign, with a three-wicket win against finals contender Kangarilla at Cherry Gardens yesterday. Kangarilla batted first and struggled throughout their innings as they were bowled out for just 81. Che Martinsen (19) and Jack Evans (13 not out) were the only ‘Kangies’ batsmen to reach double figures. All four SCIB bowlers took wickets with Daniel Desengo leading the way with 4/14 (6). Aaron Thompson (3/15), Ben McGowan (2/28) and Daniel Key (1/16) were the other wicket takers. Tom Watton (28) and Darcy Campbell (13) started well with a 39-run opening stand but Kangarilla hit back hard through an excellent spell of bowling from Jack Evans who took 4/10 from seven overs. Ryan Smallman (2/12) was the other multiple wicket taker for ‘Kangies’ as SCIB found themselves with a few nervous moments at 7/74. Veteran Andy Adams (15 not out) guided his side home in the 35th over in a tight low-scoring game. Aldgate got back on the winners list and moved up to second spot on the HCA ladder with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over reigning premier Mount Lofty at Aldgate Oval. Both sides were missing key personnel with Adam Carthew and Will Healey out for Mount Lofty, while Jake Turnbull and Mitch Thomas were missing for the ‘Gaters’. Aldgate won the toss and sent the Redcaps in and from that moment on it was all the home side as they rolled Mount Lofty for just 69 in the 37th over. No Redcaps batsman reached 20 with Stewart Leigh top scoring with 17. Playing his first ‘A’ grade game for the season, Frank Clements showed his immense value to Aldgate with figures of 3/12 (8). He was well supported by Will Turner (2/5), Brian Stephens (2/9) and Matty Hansen (2/23). The home side wasted no time in knocking off the runs in the 20th over, finishing on 0/72. Josh Callaghan made 37 not out from 62 balls (3 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s), while his opening partner Will Quigley-Smith finished with 29 not out from 56 balls (3 x 4’s). Meadows has ominously moved inside the top-four after their 43-run win at home against Stirling. It was the Bulldogs’ fifth consecutive win. The powerful Meadows batting lineup was in full flight yesterday with Haydn Reid (67 not out), Rohan Reid (49) and Luke Tonkin (44) continuing their excellent seasons. This trio has amassed 1,369 runs between them this season with Haydn Reid leading the HCA with 557 runs at 69.63. Chad Dawe put the ‘cherry on top’ yesterday with a whirlwind knock of 41 not out from just 13 balls! Dawe’s innings included one four and five sixes as Meadows finished with an imposing 3/219 from their 40 overs. Jack Read (1/38) and Kosta Sinodinos (1/45) were the wicket takers for Stirling. The Eagles had plenty of contributors in their run chase with Pete Fryer (41), Daniel Gonzalez (32), Read (24), Harrison Webb (22) and Jack Pick (22) all getting starts but no-one could go on to the big score required to chase down the target. Stirling came up short as they were bowled out in the 37th over for 176. All five Meadows bowlers claimed wickets with Tom Bevan Giles (3/33) continuing his good recent form which has seen him take nine wickets in the last three games. He was well supported by Rohan Reid (2/30) and Dawe (1/24). Ladder (after round 13)Mount Lofty 54, Aldgate 54, Meadows 51, Stirling 51, Kangarilla 51, Scott Creek Ironbank 24, Uraidla 18, Bridgewater 9.Round 14 fixture (home team named first)Kangarilla v Aldgate Scott Creek Ironbank v BridgewaterUraidla v StirlingMount Lofty v Meadows

Great Southern Bowls Association - Women’s Pennant Division 1Round 12 resultsVictor Harbor 55 defeated McLaren Vale 53Yankalilla 81 defeated Goolwa White 44Encounter Bay 66 defeated Willunga 53Goolwa Black 82 defeated Port Elliot 40Ladder (after round 12)Goolwa Black 104, Victor Harbor 86, Port Elliot 84, McLaren Vale 79, Yankalilla 74, Encounter Bay 54, Willunga 53, Goolwa White 42.Round 13 fixtures (home team named first)Goolwa Black v Goolwa WhiteWillunga v McLaren ValeYankalilla v Victor HarborPort Elliot v Encounter Bay

Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) have won their first Harry Meyer Shield since 2014, following their 24-run win against a gallant Murray Towns Cricket Association (MTCA) in the Grand Final at Summit Sport & Recreation Park in Mount Barker today. AEHCA batted first and posted a competitive total of 156 before being bowled out in the 50th over, with James Dawson (40), Luke Timmins (27) and Ben Matthews (23) leading the way with the bat. Dawson and Timmins put on a vital 45-run partnership for the sixth wicket after AEHCA had slipped to 5/74. Zakk Bullard was the best of the MTCA bowlers with an excellent spell of 4/23 from nine overs. Aaron Zrim (2/33), Sam Elliott (1/25), Nick Neumann (1/25) and Josh Boylan (1/28) were the other wicket takers for Murray Towns.Murray Towns got off to a slow start as opening batsmen Jared Marston and Zak Muirhead struggled their way to 0/7 after 10 overs before Muirhead was dismissed for a 33-ball duck by Troy Blackwell in the 11th over. Nick Lindner (1) went cheaply as MTCA were in early trouble at 2/11 with Brady Wrigley joining Marston at the crease. This pair set about resurrecting the innings with a 58-run third wicket stand before Wrigley was dismissed for 24 (58 balls). Marston was next to go for a top-scoring 43 (95 balls) and AEHCA were back on top again with MTCA at 4/72. Veteran Zrim and Boylan joined forces as the required run rate pushed up to over a run a ball. This pair put on another important partnership worth 53 runs for the fifth wicket as MTCA needed 35 runs from the final four overs. The turning point came in the 47th over as Boylan was run out by Lachlan Barrett for 27 (40 balls) which led to a collapse of 6/7 with Murray Towns being bowled out in the 50th over for 132. Zrim battled hard to score 25 (38 balls). Three AEHCA bowlers took wickets with Troy Blackwell the standout with the brilliant figures of 5/12 from 10 overs. Veteran Ben Warren also bowled an excellent spell to snare 3/19 (9). Off-Spinner Matthew Weeks (1/43) was the other wicket taker, while Nathan Fitzgerald bowled a miserly opening spell of 0/2 from seven overs, before finishing with figures of 0/15 (10).So Alexandra & Eastern Hills end the Hills Cricket Association’s (HCA) dominance with their first Meyer Shield victory in eight years, with Mark Abbott (Strathalbyn) the only player remaining from that Grand Final victory against the HCA at Mypolonga Oval in 2014. It was great for Kangaroo Island to host the preliminary rounds after having to move the carnival due to the devastating bushfires in 2019/20. It was a tough decider with AEHCA proving a bit too strong for Murray Towns in the finish. 

Lobethal won the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) Twenty20 title following their 25-run win over Langhorne Creek in a low-scoring Grand Final at Mount Barker last night. Lobethal won the toss and decided to bat first and it was tough going with the ‘Creeks’ bowlers keeping it tight. Cooper Luke (15) and Dan Norsworthy (6) went early to leave ‘Lobey’ at 2/26. The key partnership of the innings came between Mitch Weeks and Ben Matthews who added a crucial 60 runs for the third wicket before Weeks was dismissed for 26 (33 balls). Matthews carried his bat through the innings to finish with 45 not out (55 balls) as Lobethal posted 3/107 from their 20 overs. Chris Russo (2/18) and Troy Blackwell (1/24) were the wicket takers for Langhorne Creek, while Adam Clements bowled a miserly spell of 0/11 (4). The ‘Creeks’ would’ve been confident of chasing down the target but they started badly as Daniel Kropp (2) and Ben Warren (11) were dismissed early in the innings to leave Langhorne Creek in trouble at 2/15. Russo (12) and James Dawson (20)  then came together to put on 27 runs for the third wicket as the game started to swing in favour of the Southern Tigers. Enter Lobethal off-spinner Will Zadow, who turned the game on its head with three wickets in four balls as he dismissed Russo, Clements (0) and Brayden Frost (0) to see the ‘Creeks’ reeling at 5/43. Blackwell battled hard to make 12 from 24 balls but the damage had been done as Lobethal took the last eight wickets for just 40 runs to see Langhorne Creek bowled out for 82 in the 19th over. Zadow finished with the fine figures of 5/19 (4) to win the ‘player-of-the-match’ award. Jeremy Hackett (2/19), Matt Jenkin (1/5), Matt Martin (1/11) and Mitch Weeks (1/18) were the other wicket takers for Lobethal.In other Cricket news, the Meyer Shield Grand Final will be played today at Mount Barker and you can follow the game live on the Fleurieu App thanks to Murraylands Football & Netball sporting results. The game starts at 10.00am.

Great Southern Tennis AssociationRound 11 resultsPort Elliot 6-8-54 defeated Victor Harbor 0-0-0Goolwa v Inman Valley (Washed out)Back Valley v Myponga Sellicks (Washed out)Ladder (after round 11)Inman Valley 57, Goolwa 57, Myponga Sellicks 50, Port Elliot 42, Back Valley 32, Victor Harbor 14.Round 12 Fixtures (home team named first)Port Elliot v GoolwaInman Valley v Back ValleyVictor Harbor v Myponga Sellicks

After a wet weekend on Kangaroo Island, Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) and Murray Towns Cricket Association (MTCA) have made their way through to the Meyer Shield Final to be played at Mount Barker this Wednesday (26/1). Reigning champion Hills Cricket Association (HCA), who were aiming for a fifth title in a row, didn’t get to take the field after both their matches were abandoned without a ball being bowled. Murray Towns booked their spot in the final following their 110-run win on Saturday against Kangaroo Island in a game reduced to 30 overs per side. Nick Lindner (74), Brady Wrigley (41) and Jared Marston (39) starred with the bat, while Josh Boylan and Sam Elliott took three wickets each. Sunday’s game against the HCA was washed out leaving MTCA with three points and on top of the ladder.Last year's runner-up AEHCA had their day one match against HCA washed out before booking their spot in the final with a hard-fought four-wicket victory against Torrens Valley (TVCA) in a game reduced to 25 overs per side. TVCA made 5/127 from their 25 overs with Mitch Weeks taking 2/17 (5). AEHCA were in trouble at 4/53 before skipper Ben Warren (46) and Luke Timmins (27) combined for a match winning 69-run stand for the fifth wicket to help their side over the line with 13 balls to spare. The Meyer Shield Final starts at 10.00am on Wednesday 26 January at Summit Sport & Recreation Park in Mount Barker.

Strathalbyn kept their finals chances alive with a comprehensive 89-run win over reigning premier Nairne at Summit Sport & Recreation Park yesterday during round 12 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The game was played as a ‘stand alone’ Sunday fixture and the Stallions won the toss and batted first. Luke Cousins (34) and Matt Harris got ‘Strath’ off to a good start with a 51-run opening stand before three quick wickets fell to see them in trouble at 3/56. Harris was joined by Ben Cousins and this pair set about getting the innings back on track with a 99-run fourth wicket partnership before Harris was dismissed for a patient 74 (115 balls). Ben Cousins finished with 39 (58 balls) as the Stallions posted 6/184 from their 45 overs. Jarrad Tait (2/32) was the pick of the Razorbacks bowlers. Nairne struggled in the run chase with Robert Crook (26) and Mitch Hein (20) the only batsmen to reach 20, as the Razorbacks were bowled out for just 95 in the 39th over. Teenager Jack Roberts snared his best ‘A’ grade figures with 3/7 (5.5) and he was well supported by Ben Cousins who completed an excellent all round game with 3/30 (9). Skipper Brayden Gaiter chimed in with 2/26 (9). Langhorne Creek consolidated their spot in the top-four with a comfortable five-wicket win at home against Woodside. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first and got off to a reasonable start with Brad Collins (12) and Dave Wescombe (32) putting on 28 for the first wicket. There were useful contributions from Will Dunstall (21), Shane Collins (19) and Jeremy Snoad (14) but no batsman could make the big score required, as the Warriors were bowled out in the 44th over for 123. Tom Whittlesea (3/18), Dan Cleggett (3/40), Darcy Paech (2/11) and Ben Warren (2/26) shared the 10 wickets for the Tigers. Langhorne Creek were relatively untroubled in the run chase as Warren (31), James Dawson (28 not out) and Jordan Whiting (25) saw the home side pass the target with five wickets and 14 overs to spare. Jeremy Druwitt (2/46), Shane Collins (1/8), Chris Baschiera (1/15) and Steve Ball (1/32) were the Warriors wicket takers. Bremer/Callington won their third game of the season with a comfortable five-wicket win at home against Hahndorf on Saturday. The Magpies batted first and posted 7/148 from their 45 overs with veteran Andrew Baker leading the way with 52 not out. He was well supported by fellow veteran Greg Hassold (29) and Lachlan Huxtable (29). Brad Clements (3/36), Sandeep Huda (2/29) and Johnny Fitzgerald (1/17) were the wicket takers for the Cobras. Bremer/Callington got off to a good start as Ajay Pundir and Johnny Fitzgerald (16) added 30 runs for the first wicket. Pundir was then joined by Graydon Brand in what would be a match-winning partnership, as the pair combined for an 89-run stand for the second wicket before Pundir was dismissed for 66 (93 balls). Brand continued on to make 44 not out (94 balls) as the winning runs came up in the 39th over. Huxtable (3/28) was the leading wicket taker for the Magpies, while Michael Shanahan (1/21) and Michael Harden (1/24) took the other wickets to fall.Lobethal won their third game in a row following their 44-run win at Macclesfield on Saturday. The Tigers batted first and compiled a competitive total of 173 before being bowled out in the 42nd over. Six Lobethal batsmen reached double figures with Lachlan Bates top scoring with 43 from 44 balls (3 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s), while Mitch Weeks chimed in with a quickfire 33 from 27 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Luke Jones (3/42), Connor Moore (2/28) and Kieran O’Connell (2/34) led the way with the ball for the Redbacks. Macclesfield got themselves into a good position at 2/74 in the run chase before they lost their last eight wickets for 55 runs to be bowled out in the 37th over for 129. O’Connell (29) and skipper David Caddle (24) top scored for ‘Maccy’. Mitch Weeks completed a good all round game with figures of 4/34 (9), while Matt Martin was excellent again with the ball as he snared 3/13 (7.4). Martin now has 22 wickets at an average of just 10.77 for the season. Ben Matthews chimed in with 2/13 from five overs. The competition will break next weekend for the annual Meyer Shield competition with the season to resume on Saturday 29 January.Ladder (after round 12)Nairne 40, Lobethal 32, Woodside 28, Langhorne Creek 28, Strathalbyn 24, Hahndorf 16, Bremer/Callington 12, Macclesfield 12.Round 13 fixture* (home team named first)Hahndorf v Langhorne CreekStrathalbyn v MacclesfieldLobethal v NairneWoodside v Bremer/Callington*Saturday 29 January

Great Southern Bowls Association - Open Pennant Division 1Round 12 resultsMcLaren Vale 83 defeated Myponga 38Victor Harbor 62 defeated Strathalbyn 49Encounter Bay 72 defeated Goolwa White 41Port Elliot 69 defeated Yankalilla 49Willunga 61 defeated Goolwa Black 59Ladder (after round 12)Willunga 109, McLaren Vale 109, Encounter Bay 81, Goolwa White 76, Goolwa Black 75, Victor Harbor 71, Strathalbyn 60, Port Elliot 58, Myponga 42, Yankalilla 39.Round 13 fixtures (home team named first)Yankalilla v Encounter BayGoolwa Black v StrathalbynVictor Harbor v Port ElliotMcLaren Vale v WillungaGoolwa White v Myponga

Encounter Bay pulled off a thrilling one-run win against reigning premier Willunga during round seven action at Encounter Bay in the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) on Saturday. It was Willunga’s first loss since October 2019. The Bays won the toss and decided to bat first and were in early strife with both openers dismissed and the score on 2/23. Veteran Sam Hoffmann was joined at the crease by skipper Blake Bailey and this pair set about resurrecting the innings through an excellent 94-run stand for the third wicket. Bailey finished with 29, while Hoffmann continued on to top score with 61. Cam Lintern added 14 not out as the home side finished with a competitive 6/141 from their 40 overs. Tye McIvor (2/27) was the only multiple wicket taker for Willunga, while Daniel Hockham bowled a miserly spell of 0/11 from his eight overs. Willunga lost their in-form skipper Luke Harding (6) early before Joel Docking (31) paired up with Paul Roberts to add 61 for the second wicket. Luke Goldner (19) and Scott Brown (15) made useful contributions, while Roberts went on to top score with 50 (88 balls) before being run out as the Demons came up agonisingly short at 6/140. Bailey continued his good day with 2/22 (8) and he was well supported by Shane Hastings (1/18) and Hoffmann (1/19), while there were two run outs.Noarlunga consolidated their spot in the top-two with a comfortable eight-wicket win against Goolwa at Old Noarlunga on Saturday. Stand-in skipper Anthony Burgess won the toss for the home side and sent the Magpies in. Jesse Consalvo got Goolwa off to a good start with a hard-hitting 36 from 45 balls. Luke Giddings was anchoring the innings well and was involved in handy partnerships worth 30 runs (with Consalvo) and 37 (with Dean Vickery) as he finished with 53 not out (89 balls). Goolwa ended up with 7/142 from their 40 overs. Matty Ray (2/20), Ben Stewart Tonkin (2/22) and Peter Lamz (2/24) led the way with the ball for the Shoes. Noarlunga lost opening batsman Jeff Colo for 12 which brought Burgess to the crease to join Mason Parry. This pair added 55 for the second wicket before Parry was removed for 15. Matthew Spaan was the next batsman in for the Shoes and he and Burgess steadily set about chasing down the target. They achieved this in the 37th over through an unbroken 76-run union for the third wicket. Burgess top scored with 69 not out (84 balls), while Spaan finished with 31 not out (59 balls). Andy Evans (1/24) and Tyron Rigney (1/24) were the wicket takers for Goolwa.Port Elliot won their third game of the season to keep in touch with the top-four following their four-wicket win at home against McLaren Districts. The visitors batted first and battled their way to 7/131 from their 40 overs. The innings was set up by a 61-run stand between Luke Goodieson (51) and skipper Stephen Nairn (21) for the third wicket. Teenager Finn Hayden (2/17) and Tyson Somerfield (2/24) were the multiple wicket takers, while veteran Simon Donaldson bowled a miserly eight-over spell to finish with 1/8. The Bloods had many contributors throughout their innings with the key partnership being between the father/son duo of Andy (22) and Finn Hayden (25). This pair added 46 runs for the third wicket. Three wickets fell on the ‘devils number’ of 87 to give the Crushers a ‘sniff’ of victory as Michael Genockey (4/19), in his first game since the 2015/16 season, claimed a hattrick spread over two overs. 45 runs were needed from the final 10 overs as Nigel Mack (11 not out) joined Scott Hannam at the crease. Hannam hit a quickfire 22 (18 balls) and Somerfield (14 not out) finished the game in style with three consecutive boundaries in the 36th over. Nairn (2/21) was the other wicket taker for the Crushers. The competition will break next weekend for the annual Meyer Shield competition with the season to resume on Saturday 29 January.Ladder (after round 7)Noarlunga 33, Willunga 30*, Encounter Bay 22, Goolwa 21, Port Elliot 18*, McLaren Districts 0.*Willunga and Port Elliot have a game in handRound 8 fixture* (home team named first/one-day games)Noarlunga v Port ElliotMcLaren Districts v Encounter BayGoolwa v Willunga*Saturday 29 January

Stirling has moved up to second position on the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) ladder following their comprehensive 129-run win over fellow finals aspirant Aldgate at Stirling Oval yesterday. The Eagles batted first and got off to a good start through opening pair Daniel Gonzalez and Ben Zampa as they added 76 before Zampa was dismissed for 28 (50 balls). Gonzalez continued on to top score with 60 from 64 balls (4 x 4’s, 4 x 6’s). Skipper Jack Pick (27) and Pete Fryer (26) made handy contributions before Jack Read put the finishing touches on the innings with 41 from just 19 balls (1 x 4, 4 x 6’s) as the home side amassed 6/227 from their 40 overs. Matty Hansen (2/44) was the only multiple wicket taker for Aldgate. The ‘Gaters’ were never in the run chase as they collapsed to 6/23 with Charlie Fryer (3/13), Pick (3/16) and Pete Fryer (2/13) doing most of the damage. Connor Milde with 26 (50 balls) was the only Aldgate batsman to pass 20 as the visitors were bowled out for just 98 in the 37th over.Meadows are now within half a game of the top-four after winning their fourth game on the trot with a 91-run win at home against Bridgewater. Meadows batted first with the ‘old firm’ of Haydn Reid and Luke Tonkin putting on a huge 165-run opening stand before Tonkin was dismissed for 88 (100 balls). Reid batted through the innings to finish with 104 not out (104 balls). It was Reid’s second century of the season and 18th career  ‘ton’ for Meadows. The Bulldogs finished with an imposing 3/245 from their 40 overs. Young Bridgewater leg-spinner Finn Sullivan-Llewellyn was the only multiple wicket taker for his side with 2/61 (8). The Raiders were in early trouble as they slipped to 4/43 before skipper Justin Summerill and Rhys Jordan came together to put on 62 for the fifth wicket before Jordan went for 24 (35 balls). Summerill continued on to top score with 65 (82 balls) as his side was eventually bowled out for 154 in the 40th over. Tom Bevan-Giles (3/22), Brad Louch (3/42), Rohan Reid (2/14) and Jake Hughes (2/20) were the multiple wicket takers for Meadows. A special mention to Jake Hughes who took his first ‘A’ grade wickets yesterday. Hughes plays under 14’s for the Bulldogs and has played a number of games in the ‘A’ grade this season with his father, Anthony.Kangarilla made the journey to Uraidla and came away with a very important three-wicket win. Uraidla batted first with Alex Heptinstall (37) and Pete Wilson (19) adding 63 runs for the first wicket. After their good start, the Demons were soon in trouble as they slipped to 5/82 with Jack Evans doing the damage with 3/25 from his eight-over spell. Israel Symington and Renzo Gaetan then came together for an excellent partnership worth 54 runs as Symington went on to top score with 41 (35 balls), while Gaetan finished with 30 not out (37 balls). Uraidla ended up with a competitive total of 7/158 from their 40 overs. Steve Featherstone (2/26) was the other multiple wicket taker for ‘Kangies’. Kangarilla got off to a reasonable start with Featherstone (20) and Che Martinsen (11) adding 30 runs for the first wicket. Regular wickets fell after the opening stand and at 5/71, Uraidla were right in the game. Ryan Smallman (13) joined Ryan Grimmond in a very important sixth-wicket partnership worth 56 runs, before Cam Venter smashed a quickfire 20 from just nine balls to take his side within sight of victory. Grimmond finished with a fine 52 not out (67 balls) as Kangarilla got home with four balls to spare. Reigning premier Mount Lofty earned themselves an early beverage yesterday with a crushing eight-wicket victory over Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) at Heathfield Oval. SCIB batted first and it was a batting disaster as they were rolled for just 37 in 22.3 overs. No batsman reached double figures with Ben McGowan (9) top scoring. Left-arm seamer Will Healey was the star for the Redcaps as he claimed his first ‘A’ grade five-wicket haul with 5/16 from eight overs. Adam Carthew (3/3), Aaron Smith (1/0) and Sam Furber (1/13) were the other wicket takers. Mount Lofty wasted little time in knocking off the runs in just the 12th over. The Redcaps lost Josh Healey (7) and Jordan Neis-Beer (0) to be 2/14, before Smith (15 not out) and Carthew (14 not out) got them over the line for an easy win. Beau Thomas (2/27) was the successful bowler for SCIB. The competition will break next weekend for the annual Meyer Shield competition with the season to resume on Saturday 29 January.Ladder (after round 12)Mount Lofty 54, Stirling 51, Kangarilla 51, Aldgate 48, Meadows 45, Uraidla 18, Scott Creek Ironbank 18, Bridgewater 3.Round 13 fixture* (home team named first)Aldgate v Mount Lofty Scott Creek Ironbank v KangarillaUraidla v BridgewaterMeadows v Stirling*Saturday 29 January

Great Southern Tennis AssociationRound 10 resultsMyponga Sellicks 5-6-49 defeated Port Elliot 1-2-30Inman Valley 4-6-49 defeated Victor Harbor 2-3-29Goolwa 4-5-44 defeated Back Valley 2-3-26Ladder (after round 10)Inman Valley 56, Goolwa 56, Myponga Sellicks 49, Port Elliot 34, Back Valley 31, Victor Harbor 14.Round 11 Fixtures (home team named first)Port Elliot v Victor HarborGoolwa v Inman Valley Back Valley v Myponga Sellicks

The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) Under 14 Junior Boys and Under 12 Junior Boys carnivals were held this week with Fleurieu & Districts one of the 12 teams competing in each competition. The Under 14 Boys finished eighth overall with one win, one tie and two losses, while the Under 12’s finished seventh with two wins and two losses. Samuel White (Port Elliot) led the way with the bat for the Under 14’s with 78 runs at an average of 26.00, while Zane Garrett (Encounter Bay) was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets at an average of 13.75. In the Under 12’s, Jacob Kemp (Onkaparinga) was the leading Fleurieu batsman with 67 runs at 33.50. Dylan Hughes (Meadows), Sebastian Wadsworth (Kingscote) and Kemp shared the bowling honours with three wickets apiece.After winning the Under 16 Carnival back in December, Adelaide Turf (ATCA) made it three titles for the season with the Under 14’s defeating Mid North in the final by nine wickets, while the Under 12’s ATCA side had an eight-wicket victory in their final over South East.The Senior Country Cup runs from Sunday 30 January to Thursday 3 February. Fleurieu & Districts will be one of eight teams competing with representative sides from throughout South Australia plus a team from Alice Springs. 

Great Southern Bowls Association - Women’s Pennant Division 1Round 10 resultsVictor Harbor 69 defeated Port Elliot 65McLaren Vale 61 defeated Yankalilla 57Goolwa White 64 defeated Willunga 60Goolwa Black 59 defeated Encounter Bay 44Ladder (after round 10)Goolwa Black 86, Port Elliot 78, Victor Harbor 71, McLaren Vale 70, Yankalilla 56, Willunga 45, Encounter Bay 38, Goolwa White 36.Round 11 fixtures (home team named first)McLaren Vale v Encounter BayVictor Harbor v Goolwa BlackGoolwa White v Port ElliotWillunga v Yankalilla

Macclesfield won their third game of the season with a 37-run win over Bremer/Callington at Macclesfield Oval during round 11 action in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA). The game was reduced to 30-overs per side due to the wet weather as ‘Maccy’ won the toss and decided to bat first. All five Redbacks batsmen reached double figures as they posted a very handy score of 3/181. Lachlan Barrett was the standout with 64 not out including four boundaries and four sixes. He was well supported by Kieran O’Connell (35) and skipper David Caddle (28 not out). Sandeep Huda (1/23), Graydon Brand (1/26) and Amit Maina (1/33) were the wicket takers for Bremer/Callington. The Cobras lost opener Alex Durbidge (10) early before Ajay Pundir (42) and Brand added 50 runs for the second wicket. Huda and Brand tried to lift the run rate but ultimately the Cobras finished their 30 overs on 2/144. Huda top scored with 44 not out (49 balls), while Brand ended up with 39 not out (59 balls). Luke Jones (1/14) and Joe Lions (1/19) were the wicket takers for Macclesfield.Reigning premier Nairne won their 10th game in a row with a low-scoring 46-run win at Langhorne Creek on Saturday. Wet weather late in the week made pitch preparation difficult so it was going to be tough going for the batsmen and so it proved. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first and they were in early trouble at 5/34 before veterans Luke Harrowfield and Jarrad Tait came together. The experienced duo put on a valuable 30 runs for the sixth wicket before Harrowfield departed for 20 (48 balls). Tait made a hard-hitting 27 from just 22 balls as Nairne were eventually bowled out for 100 in the 39th over. Opening bowler Troy Blackwell snared excellent figures of 3/4 (6.2) and he was well supported by Darcy Paech with 3/8 (6). Langhorne Creek got off to a horror start in their run chase as they crashed to 5/11 with young Nairne opening bowler Brodie Clarke doing most of the damage with 4/19 from 6.3 overs. Brayden Frost battled hard to top score with 14, but he was the only ‘Creeks’ batsman to reach double figures as the home side were rolled for just 54 in the 25th over. Mitch Hein was the other multiple wicket taker for the Razorbacks with a miserly spell of 2/12 from his nine overs. Woodside consolidated their spot in the top-four with a comfortable seven-wicket win at home against Strathalbyn. ‘Strath’ won the toss and decided to bat first and they got off to a reasonable start with an opening stand of 33 runs between Luke Cousins (16) and Matthew Harris (15). Steven Schofield battled hard to top score with 24 (69 balls) but there were not too many other contributions as the Stallions were bowled out for just 92 in the 41st over. Jeremy Druwitt was the chief destroyer for the Warriors as he took his best figures for the season with 4/21 (8.2). Charlie McDonough (2/12) and Harrison Reid (2/24) were the other multiple wicket takers for Woodside. The Warriors wasted no time in knocking off the small target as they made the runs in the 22nd over for the loss of just three wickets. Tommy Baldock top scored with 39 not out from 57 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while Brad Collins contributed a handy 17 from 25 balls (2 x 4’s). Strathalbyn skipper Brayden Gaiter (2/35) and Jack Roberts (1/31) were the wicket takers for ‘Strath’.Lobethal won their second game on the trot following their five-wicket win against Hahndorf at Lobethal Oval to stay in third spot on the AEHCA ladder with seven rounds remaining in the season. The game was reduced to 41-overs per side as Hahndorf won the toss and elected to bat first. The Magpies struggled their way to 9/130 with veterans Greg Hassold (35) and Andrew Baker (25) top scoring. Mitch Weeks (3/18) and Cam Winen (3/33) were the multiple wicket takers for Lobethal. After losing opener Ben Matthews (6) early, Matt Martin (39) and Sam Graeber (13) added 45 for the second wicket. Four quick wickets fell as Lobethal slipped to 5/80 and Hahndorf had a bit of a ‘sniff’. It wasn’t to be for the Magpies as Weeks (33 not out) and Sam Martin (14 not out) combined for an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership worth 51 runs to see the Tigers home in the 33rd over. Ryan Trafford-Walker was the pick of the Hahndorf bowlers with figures of 3/22 from his nine overs. Ladder (after round 11)Nairne 40, Woodside 28, Lobethal 28, Langhorne Creek 24, Strathalbyn 20, Hahndorf 16, Macclesfield 12, Bremer/Callington 8.Round 12 fixture (home team named first)Langhorne Creek v WoodsideMacclesfield v LobethalBremer/Callington v HahndorfNairne v Strathalbyn