DAY two of Gawler Central’s Barossa & Light Cricket Association A1-reserves matchup against Lyndoch ended with a whimper, with the first innings victory wrapped up on day one and no real push made for an outright result.
The Tigers used the end of its innings as batting practice for the tail end, with its last four batsmen scoring a combined 39 runs from 161 deliveries in a display of quality long-form batting to build a lead of 45 runs.
The Dockers were never in any real danger of being bowled out in the game’s remaining 20 overs, finishing the day at 5/93 to concede bragging rights and top spot to Gawler Central.
Willaston has also secured its finals berth, but was humbled by Angaston on Saturday as the Blues raced past the target of 203 to post a massive 344 behind Luke Doecke’s (126) big ton and Myles Harvey’s 94.
Light Pass is locked in as the fourth and final team to book a date in the postseason, and will take some momentum into the last round after its bowlers successfully defended 8/196.
Alex Crossley (5/29 with six maidens from 14 overs) and Simon Davies (3/19 from 19 overs) made life miserable for Freeling, with Samuel Daff (65) and James Parker (48) combining for over 80 per cent of the Water Hens’ 136 total.
Eudunda-Robertstown is likely to finish as ‘best-of-the-rest’ in fifth, beating eventual wooden-spooners Truro by 213 runs.
In A2, Hamley Bridge secured its spot in the finals with a 37-run win over South Gawler – successfully defending 172.
South Gawler opener James Korber top-scored for the visitors with 46, but will be disappointed after being run out by Hayden Bubner.
Bubner also took 3/21 with four maidens from 11 overs, only topped by teammate Craig Calliess’ 4/55, with Terry Baker’s 2/7 with six maidens in eight overs a spectacular display of tight bowling.
Gawler Central appear destined for the wooden spoon after a six-wicket loss at Long Plains as Sam McArdle (58 not-out) and Jacob Curnow (28 not-out) made light work of the Tigers’ 124 total.
In A3, Mallala sits fifth after a solid 81-run home win against Kapunda, but sits within striking distance of both Angaston and Light Pass in third and fourth respectively, who play each other in the last round of the season this week.
The Blues rode a terrific 101 not-out from Ben Burgess to post a seven-wicket win against Sandy Creek to keep Angaston in pole position for a finals berth, needing only a draw to secure its spot.
In A4, Willaston showed why it’s top of the ladder thanks to a pair of tons from Reece Woods (134 not-out) and Jarrod Hicks (108 not-out), posting a total of 1/282 in 40 overs.
In response, Gawler Central batsmen suffered six ducks in its first seven scores, with Harvey Iredale (7) top-scoring as Brody Martin (5/4 with five maidens from eight overs) and company ripped through the Tigers.
