GAWLER Central capitalised on its strong work on day one of its Barossa & Light Cricket Association A1-reserves matchup with Willaston, carrying on with the job in Saturday’s day two to claim a three-wicket win.
The Tigers started the day with all 10 wickets in hand, and needing 100 runs to win, but Willaston’s bowlers made things interesting.
Hayden Moss took 5/55 with five maidens, but a terrific partnership from tail-enders Chris Bilney (48 not-out) and Adam Byster (12 not-out from 61 deliveries) saw Gawler Central get over the line in the 69th over in a result that sees the Tigers leapfrog the Donnybrooks into second place.
Lyndoch again showed why it’s the class of the division, bowling out Freeling for 90 in a one-day fixture.
Matthew Robinson was tremendous for the Dockers, taking 4/7 from 6.4 overs, while George Clarridge was almost unplayable as well, taking 2/9 in seven overs.
The chase was anti-climactic, as Nathan Goulding carried his bat to score 35 not-out as Lyndoch reached the target in 18 overs, winning by eight wickets.
In a 40-over matchup between the bottom two sides, Angaston was able to defend its total of 130 thanks to excellent bowling at the death at Truro.
It was not a great showing with the bat for Angaston, with seven players dismissed for six or fewer runs, while number-eight Craig Doecke (38) and number-10 Bradley Sibley (21 not-out) salvaged a respectable score late.
Hockey star Callum Munchenberg bowled well for Truro, taking 3/35 in his eight overs, with teammate Nigel Murphy (3/23) also delivering.
Unfortunately for the hosts, only two batsmen – Bradley Fairey (38) and Kym Hoffman (28) – were able to make their way into double figures, as the Doecke’s – Luke (4/14 with two maidens) and Craig (3/9 with four maidens) – dominated.
At 8/119 it appeared Truro would be able to limp to the finish line, but Luke Doecke took two quick wickets to leave the hosts stranded on 122 with more than five overs left on the table, losing by eight runs.
Light Pass solidified its spot in the top-four with a five-wicket win against visiting Eudunda-Robertstown, only needing to chase down 116 for the win.
Alex Crossley did Lighties’ damage with the ball, taking 5/20 in eight overs, giving the hosts a relatively easy chase, which it completed in 26 overs.
In A2, Sandy Creek took top spot outright this week after beating Nuriootpa by 81 runs, with Hamley Bridge creating a three-way logjam behind the Cockatoos after they beat the brakes off of previously second-placed Greenock, dismissing the Schlungers for 72 to win by 48.
In A3, five teams are battling for two finals spots as it appears Lyndoch and Kapunda have done enough to lock in their positions in the postseason.
Angaston leads the ‘best-of-the-rest’ group, and had a percentage boosting win as Ben Burgess (75) and Simon Kurtz (70*) helped the Blues pile on 7/245, before bowling out Mallala for 147.
In A4, Willaston bowled out Freeling for 70 to win by 115 runs, while Gawler Central was knocked over for just 38 in a game to forget.
